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::''See also: [[Rick Perry presidential campaign, 2016]]''
<BPW widget='profile/infobox' person='295117'/>
{{retired official submit info}}{{Polinfobox
'''James Richard Perry''' <section begin=PerryEnergy/>is the former [[U.S. Department of Energy|secretary of energy]]. He was the 14th person to serve in the position. Perry was chosen by President [[Donald Trump]] for secretary of energy on December 13, 2016. The [[United States Senate|Senate]] confirmed Perry on March 2, 2017, by a vote of 62-37, and he was sworn into office on the same day.<ref name=Energy>[http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-picks-energy-department-opponent-rick-perry-energy-secretary-sources-n695241 ''NBC News'', "Trump Picks Energy Department Opponent Rick Perry for Energy Secretary: Sources," December 13, 2016]</ref><ref>[https://decisiondeskhq.com/vote-tracker/confirmation-vote-of-rick-perry-for-secretary-of-energy/ ''Decision Desk HQ'', "Confirmation Vote of Rick Perry for Secretary of Energy," March 2, 2017]</ref>  
|Project =SEO
|Name = Rick Perry
|Profile picture =Rick Perry.jpg
|Position = President of the United States
|Status = Former candidate
|Tenure =
|Term ends =
|Assumed office =
|Political party = Republican
|Predecessor = George W. Bush
|Leadership =
|Years leadership =
|Leadership 2 =
|Years leadership 2 =
|Leadership 3 =
|Years leadership 3 =
|Leadership 4 =
|Years leadership 4 =
|Leadership 5 =
|Years leadership 5 =
|Base salary =$150,000
|Per diem =
|Pension =
|Last election =[[Texas gubernatorial election, 2010|November 2, 2010]]
|Campaign $=123656242
|Appointed =
|Appointed by =
|First elected =November 5, 2002
|Term limits =[[States with gubernatorial term limits|None]]
|Next election =November 8, 2016
|Prior office = [[Governor of Texas]]
|Prior office years =December 21, 2000 - January 20, 2015
|Prior office 2 =[[Lieutenant Governor of Texas]]
|Prior office 2 years =1998 - 2000
|Prior office 3 =[[Texas Agriculture Commissioner]]
|Prior office 3 years =1990 - 1998
|Prior office 4 =[[Texas House of Representatives]]
|Prior office 4 years =1984 - 1990
|High school =Paint Creek High School
|Associate's =
|Bachelor's =Texas A&M University (1972)
|Master's =
|J.D. =
|Ph.D. =
|M.D. =
|Other =
|Military =U.S Air Force
|Years of service = 1972 - 1977
|Military 2 =
|Years of service 2  =
|Citations =
|Birthday =March 4, 1950
|Place of birth =Paint Creek, [[Texas]]
|Profession =
|Religion =Methodist
|Office website =
|Campaign website =https://rickperry.org
|Personal website =
}}{{TOCnestright}}'''James Richard Perry''' (b. March 4, 1950, in Paint Creek, [[Texas]]) is a Republican politician and the former [[Governor of Texas|Governor]] of [[Texas]]. He assumed office in December 2000 when Governor [[George W. Bush]], then the president-elect, resigned to prepare for his inauguration as President of the United States. Perry was elected to full terms in 2002, 2006 and 2010.<ref name=cnnfacts/> Perry retired from the governorship in 2014.<ref> [http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/07/08/rick-perry-texas-governor-president/2497773/ ''USA Today,'' "Texas Gov. Rick Perry says he won't run again," July 8, 2013] </ref>


On September 11, 2015, Perry announced that he would suspend his campaign for the presidency in 2016. "We have a tremendous field -- the best in a generation -- so I step aside knowing our party is in good hands." He had announced his candidacy on June 4, 2015.<ref name=announce>[http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/04/politics/rick-perry-2016-presidential-announcement/ ''CNN'', "Rick Perry launches comeback White House bid," June 4, 2015]</ref>
On October 17, 2019, ''Fox News'' reported that Perry planned to submit his resignation to President Trump by the end of the year.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/energy-secretary-perry-tells-trump-plans-resign ''Fox News,'' "Energy Secretary Rick Perry tells Trump he plans to resign, sources say," October 17, 2019]</ref> He resigned on December 1, 2019.<ref>[https://oklahoman.com/article/5648783/senate-approves-successor-to-rick-perry-as-energy-secretary ''The Oklahoman,'' "Senate approves successor to Rick Perry as energy secretary," December 2, 2019]</ref>


Perry also ran for [[President of the United States|the presidency]] in the 2012. On January 19, 2012, Perry suspended his campaign for the Republican nomination and endorsed fellow GOP candidate [[Newt Gingrich]].<ref>[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0112/71657.html ''Politico'', "Rick Perry drops 2012 campaign for president, endorses Newt Gingrich," January 19, 2012]</ref>
Perry is the former [[Governor of Texas|governor of Texas]]. He assumed office in December 2000 when President [[George W. Bush]], then the president-elect, resigned as governor of Texas to prepare for his inauguration as President of the United States. Perry was elected to full terms in 2002, 2006, and 2010. Perry retired from the governorship in 2014.<ref name=cnnfacts/><ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/07/08/rick-perry-texas-governor-president/2497773/ ''USA Today'', "Texas Gov. Rick Perry says he won't run again," July 8, 2013] </ref><section end=PerryEnergy/>


Perry became the longest-serving governor in Texas history midway through his time in office. He eventually served over 14 consecutive years in the position, crushing the records held by previous governors Bill Clements, who served eight years over two non-consecutive terms, and Allan Shiver, who had seven and one-half years of consecutive service.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/2/http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/12/15/1215perry.html ''Austin American-Statesman'', "GOVERNOR VIEWS LONGEVITY AS FOOTNOTE TO TENURE FOCUSED ON ECONOMY, CONSERVATIVE VALUES," December 15, 2008]</ref> In May 2013, the [[Texas Legislature|state legislature]] rejected a proposal that would have imposed term limits on the governor and other state officials by constitutional amendment, subject to voter approval. Before the House struck it down, one of the law's supporters, Rep. Lyle Larson (R), noted how Perry's unrestricted tenure has enabled him to accumulate an unprecedented level of control over state government. Larson pointed out that Perry was the first governor to make every statewide appointment.<ref name=termlimitdown/>  
The secretary of energy is responsible for overseeing an "agency tasked with maintaining a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent and reducing the threat of nuclear proliferation, overseeing the United States’ energy supply, carrying out the environmental clean-up from the Cold War nuclear mission, and the 17 National Laboratories," according to the department's website.<ref>[https://energy.gov/about-us ''Energy.gov'', "About," accessed January 27, 2018]</ref>


An analysis of Republican governors by Nate Silver of the ''New York Times'' in April 2013 ranked Perry as the 10th most conservative governor in the country.<ref>[http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/16/in-state-governments-signs-of-a-healthier-g-o-p/?smid=tw-share&_r=0 ''New York Times'', "In State Governments, Signs of a Healthier G.O.P.," April 16, 2013]</ref>
Perry ran for [[President of the United States|president]] twice, in 2012 and 2016. He suspended his 2012 campaign on January 19, 2012, and endorsed candidate [[Newt Gingrich]] in the Republican primary.<ref>[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0112/71657.html ''Politico'', "Rick Perry drops 2012 campaign for president, endorses Newt Gingrich," January 19, 2012]</ref> He announced his 2016 campaign on June 4, 2015, and suspended his campaign on September 11 of that same year. He said, "We have a tremendous field -- the best in a generation -- so I step aside knowing our party is in good hands." He later endorsed [[Ted Cruz]] in the Republican primary.<ref name=announce>[http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/04/politics/rick-perry-2016-presidential-announcement/ ''CNN'', "Rick Perry launches comeback White House bid," June 4, 2015]</ref><ref>[https://www.politico.com/story/2016/01/rick-perry-endorses-ted-cruz-218170 ''Politico'', "Rick Perry endorses Ted Cruz," January 25, 2016]</ref>


==Biography==
==Biography==
 
Perry is a fifth-generation Texan. He grew up in Paint Creek, Texas, on his family's ranch. He was active in Boy Scouts, eventually earning the Boy Scouts of America's Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. While a student at Texas A&M University, he joined the Corps of Cadets and was elected as a yell leader. During college, Perry also worked selling books door to door.<ref name="bio.com">[http://www.biography.com/people/rick-perry-20663471?page=1 ''Biography.com'', "Rick Perry," accessed June 30, 2012]</ref>
Perry is a fifth generation Texan, growing up in Paint Creek on his family's ranch. He was active in Boy Scouts, eventually earning the Boy Scouts of America's Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. While a student at Texas A&M University, he joined the Corps of Cadets and was elected as a yell leader. During college, Perry also worked selling books door to door.<ref name="bio.com">[http://www.biography.com/people/rick-perry-20663471?page=1 ''Biography.com,'' "Rick Perry," accessed June 30, 2012]</ref>


After graduating, Perry accepted a commission in the United States Air Force. He completed pilot training and flew tactical airlifts in Europe and the Middle East through most of the 1970s. He retired in 1977 as a captain and returned to Texas to work on his family's cotton farm.<ref name="bio.com"/>
After graduating, Perry accepted a commission in the United States Air Force. He completed pilot training and flew tactical airlifts in Europe and the Middle East through most of the 1970s. He retired in 1977 as a captain and returned to Texas to work on his family's cotton farm.<ref name="bio.com"/>


Perry entered politics in 1984, winning election to the [[Texas House of Representatives]] for District 64. At the time, Perry was a [[Democrat]].  He went on to serve three terms and was one of the "Pit Bulls"—members of the appropriations committees who pushed for austere budget measures.  The name came from the committee room's lower dais, nicknamed "the pit," where the group routinely sat.<ref>[http://www.chron.com/news/politics/article/Meet-Perry-s-loyal-inner-circle-2188608.php ''Houston Chronicle,'' "Meet Perry's loyal inner circle," September 25, 2011]</ref>
Perry entered politics in 1984, winning election to the [[Texas House of Representatives]] for District 64. At the time, Perry was a [[Democrat]].<ref>[http://www.chron.com/news/politics/article/Meet-Perry-s-loyal-inner-circle-2188608.php ''Houston Chronicle'', "Meet Perry's loyal inner circle," September 25, 2011]</ref>


In 1989, Perry switched his affiliation to the [[Republican]] party.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/16/rick-perry-democrat_n_900826.html ''Huffington Post'', "Rick Perry Began Political Career As Young Star For Texas Democrats," July 16, 2011]</ref> The following year, he won a narrow upset over the Democratic incumbent to become the state's [[Texas Agriculture Commissioner|agriculture commissioner]]. He was easily re-elected to a second term in 1994. In 1998, he was ran successfully for [[Lieutenant Governor of Texas]], becoming the first Republican to hold the office. Perry succeeded to the governorship in 2000 when predecessor George W. Bush resigned to begin his first term as President of the United States.<ref name="RPbio">[http://www.rickperry.org/about/ ''Rick Perry,'' "About," accessed June 30, 2012]</ref>
In 1989, Perry switched his affiliation to the [[Republican]] party.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/16/rick-perry-democrat_n_900826.html ''Huffington Post'', "Rick Perry Began Political Career As Young Star For Texas Democrats," July 16, 2011]</ref> The following year, he won election as [[Texas Agriculture Commissioner|agriculture commissioner of Texas]]. He was re-elected to a second term in 1994. In 1998, he ran successfully for [[Lieutenant Governor of Texas|lieutenant governor of Texas]], becoming the first Republican to hold the office. Perry succeeded to the governorship in 2000 when predecessor President [[George W. Bush]] resigned to begin his first term as President of the United States.<ref name="RPbio">[http://www.rickperry.org/about/ ''Rick Perry'', "About," accessed June 30, 2012]</ref>


===Education===
==Political career==
* Paint Creek High School, 1968
===Secretary of Energy===
* B.S. Texas A&M University, 1972
{{PerryConfirmationTracker}}
On December 13, 2016, Perry was selected by President [[Donald Trump]] to serve as secretary of energy. The [[United States Senate]] confirmed Perry on March 2, 2017, by a vote of 62 to 37.<ref name=Energy/>


==Political Career==
===Governor of Texas (2000-2015)===
===Governor of Texas (2000-2015)===
:: ''See also: [[Governor of Texas]]''
:: ''See also: [[Governor of Texas]]''
Perry was the longest-serving governor in Texas history, holding the office for over 14 consecutive years.<ref name=cnnfacts>[http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/28/us/rick-perry-fast-facts/ ''CNN.com,'' "Rick Perry - Fast Facts," accessed March 2, 2013]</ref> He was first sworn in as [[Governor of Texas|governor]] on December 21, 2000, replacing Governor [[George W. Bush]], who had recently been elected President of the United States. Perry was elected to a full term as governor in 2002 over Democrat Antonio R. "Tony" Sanchez, Jr., a Laredo businessman.
Perry was the longest-serving governor in Texas history, holding the office for over 14 consecutive years.<ref name=cnnfacts>[http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/28/us/rick-perry-fast-facts/ ''CNN.com,'' "Rick Perry - Fast Facts," accessed March 2, 2013]</ref> He was first sworn in as [[Governor of Texas|governor]] on December 21, 2000, replacing Governor [[George W. Bush]], who had recently been elected President of the United States. Perry was elected to a full term as governor in 2002 over Democrat Antonio R. "Tony" Sanchez, Jr., a Laredo businessman.


Perry was the first graduate of [http://www.tamu.edu/ Texas A&M] to serve as [[Governor of Texas]]. As governor, he was a member of the [http://www.nga.org/cms/home.html National Governors Association], the [http://www.westgov.org/ Western Governors' Association], the [http://www.southerngovernors.org/ Southern Governors' Association] and the [http://www.rga.org/homepage/ Republican Governors Association].
As governor, he was a member of the [http://www.nga.org/cms/home.html National Governors Association], the [http://www.westgov.org/ Western Governors' Association], the [http://www.southerngovernors.org/ Southern Governors' Association], and the [http://www.rga.org/homepage/ Republican Governors Association].


====Grand jury indictment====
An analysis of Republican governors by Nate Silver of the ''New York Times'' in April 2013 ranked Perry as the 10th most conservative governor in the country.<ref>[http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/16/in-state-governments-signs-of-a-healthier-g-o-p/?smid=tw-share&_r=0 ''New York Times'', "In State Governments, Signs of a Healthier G.O.P.," April 16, 2013]</ref>
::''See also [[Indictment against Rick Perry (2014-Present)]]''
On August 15, 2014, '''a [[grand jury]] in [[Travis County, Texas|Travis County]] indicted former [[Governor of Texas]] [[Rick Perry]]''' on felony charges of coercion of a public official and abuse of official capacity.
 
In April 2013, Perry had asked for [[Travis County, Texas|Travis County]] District Attorney [[Rosemary Lehmberg|Rosemary Lehmberg's]] resignation following her drunk driving arrest. Lehmberg, a Democrat, refused.  Perry then threatened to veto a bill that funded the Public Integrity Unit, a state public corruption prosecutors department that the Travis County District Attorney's office runs.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/06/04/the-indictment-hanging-over-rick-perrys-2016-presidential-bid-explained/ ''Washington Post'', "The indictment hanging over Rick Perry's 2016 presidential bid, explained," June 4, 2015]</ref> The [[Grand jury|jury]] was tasked with determining if Perry's threats to withhold $7.5 million in state funds from the county's Public Integrity Unit were legal political maneuvering or breaches of state law.<ref name=perry>[http://kxan.com/2014/08/15/texas-governor-rick-perry-indicted-by-grand-jury/ ''KXAN,'' "Texas Governor Rick Perry indicted by grand jury," August 15, 2014]</ref>
 
====University of Texas investigations====
{{Wallace hall vnt}}
::''See also: [[Wallace Hall impeachment trial]], [[Forgivable loans program at the University of Texas Law School]] and [[Political favoritism in admissions to the University of Texas]]''
After he was appointed in 2011, [[University of Texas System Board of Regents|University of Texas Regent]] [[Wallace Hall]] began looking into what he believed to be clout scandals within the University of Texas system. Hall investigated the university's [[Forgivable loans program at the University of Texas Law School|forgivable-loans program]] and admissions policies and preferential treatment to politically-connected individuals.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/2/http://spectator.org/archives/2013/10/25/transparency-for-thee ''American Spectator'', "Transparency for Thee," October 25, 2013]</ref> Hall, as an individual citizen, filed FOIA requests with the University system after his inquiries via his role as a Regent were rebuffed.<ref>[http://www.dailytexanonline.com/news/2013/09/28/regent-wallace-hall-sen-kirk-watson-debate-regents-role-impeachment ''Daily Texas Online'', "Facing impeachment, Regent Wallace Hall defends actions in debate with Sen. Kirk Watson," September 28, 2013]</ref> According to his accusers, Hall filed requests of more than 800,000 pages, which some Texas administrators called an unnecessary burden.<ref>[http://www.dailytexanonline.com/news/2013/10/24/former-ut-system-vice-chancellor-alleges-regent-wallace-hall%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98clear-intent-to-get ''Daily Texas Online'', "Former UT System vice chancellor alleges Regent Wallace Hall’s ‘clear intent to get rid of Bill Powers’," October 24, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/headlines/20131022-ut-regent-sought-800000-documents-official-says-in-impeachment-hearing.ece ''Dallas Morning News'', "UT regent sought 800,000 documents, official says in impeachment hearing," October 22, 2013]</ref> However, a letter from University chancellor [[Francisco Cigarroa]] in February 2014 said that Hall likely requested fewer than 100,000 pages.<ref>[http://watchdog.org/127349/witch-hunt-records/ ''Watchdog'', "‘Witch hunt’ fallout: Speaker calls for narrower public records law," February 5, 2014]</ref><ref>[http://www.texastribune.org/2014/02/03/ut-system-responds-transparency-committee-directiv/ ''Texas Tribune'', "UT System Responds to Transparency Committee Directives," February 3, 2014]</ref> In addition, Cigarroa wrote: "During testimony before the Select Committee, some early witnesses implied that the U.T. System has not protected the privacy rights of students, staff, and patients. This is simply not true."<ref>[http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/documents/02-01-2014_HSC_on_Transparency_Committee_response_letter_-_Final_PDF.pdf ''Texas Tribune'', "Cigarroa letter to the Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations," February 1, 2014]</ref> Governor Perry and [[Bill Powers|University of Texas President Bill Powers]] have differed on education issues, specifically tuition, graduation rates, teacher roles and research.<ref>[http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/perry-pans-impeachment-proceedings-defends-ut-rege/nbcyX/ ''Austin American Statesman'', "Perry pans impeachment proceedings, defends UT Regent Hall," October 30, 2013]</ref>
 
An effort was begun in June 2013 to try and impeach Hall from his position as regent. On June 24, 2013, [[Texas House of Representatives|State House representative]] [[Jim Pitts]] (R) filed a [http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=831&Bill=HR230 resolution] to advance along impeachment proceedings of Hall by the select committee.<ref>[http://alcalde.texasexes.org/2013/06/pitts-files-resolution-to-impeach-ut-regent-wallace-hall/ ''Alcalde'', "Pitts Files Resolution to Impeach UT Regent Wallace Hall," June 24, 2013]</ref> However, State House Speaker [[Joe Straus]] issued a proclamation that expanded the jurisdiction of the [[Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations (Select), Texas House of Representatives|Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations]], allowing it to investigate a possible [[Impeachments in Texas|impeachment]]. Some legislators are justifying the impeachment on the grounds that Hall did not disclose several lawsuits that he was involved in when he originally completed his Regent background check. Hall updated Perry's office in April 2013 with the full list.<ref>[http://www.texastribune.org/2013/04/30/wallace-hall-updates-lawsuit-disclosures/ ''Texas Tribune'', "UT Regent Wallace Hall Updates Lawsuit Disclosures," April 30, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://www.realclearpolicy.com/articles/2013/08/15/the_campaign_against_wallace_hall_611.html ''Real Clear Policy'', "The Campaign Against Wallace Hall," August 15, 2013]</ref> No unelected official in Texas has ever been successfully impeached or removed from office.<ref>[http://www.news-journal.com/news/state/university-of-texas-regent-not-worried-by-impeachment-inquiry/article_0f6d751e-90c8-57b2-9515-304e25541a12.html ''News-Journal'', "University of Texas regent not worried by impeachment inquiry," September 9, 2013]</ref> Perry's spokesperson said the investigations send a "chilling message" to gubernatorial appointees.<ref>[http://www.texastribune.org/2013/06/25/transparency-committee-mull-impeachment-ut-regent/ ''Texas Tribune'', "Transparency Committee to Mull Impeachment of UT Regent," June 25, 2013]</ref> He added that the investigation was "extraordinary political theater."<ref>[http://www.texastribune.org/2013/10/30/perry-blasts-impeachment-probe-wallace-hall/ ''Texas Tribune'', "Perry Blasts Impeachment Probe of Wallace Hall," October 30, 2013]</ref> Texas state legislators have never previously tried to remove an appointed official. Only two elected officials in the history of Texas have ever been successfully [[Impeachments in Texas|impeached]].<ref>[http://tpr.org/post/ut-regent-wallace-hall-will-testify-impeachment-hearing ''Texas Public Radio'', "UT Regent Wallace Hall Will Testify In Impeachment Hearing," November 13, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://www.house.state.tx.us/committees/committee/?committee=465&session=83 ''Texas State House Committees'', "Transparency in State Agency Operations Committee Members," accessed October 31, 2013]</ref>
 
In November 2013, committee member [[Trey Martinez Fischer]] submitted a request indicating a desire to look at Hall's personal computers, iPads and smartphones as part of the investigation. "we must consider forensic examination of the personal or professional electronic communications of the regents in order to ensure compliance with the law," Fischer wrote in a letter to committee attorney Rusty Hardin.<ref>[http://www.texastribune.org/2013/11/04/lawmaker-eyes-access-ut-regents-personal-computers/ ''Texas Tribune'', "Lawmaker Eyes Access to UT Regents' Computers," November 4, 2013]</ref>
 
At a November 12, 2013 meeting, the committee issued a subpoena for [[Wallace Hall|Hall]] to appear on December 10. However, legislators quickly rescinded the subpoena, since no meeting was scheduled until December 18. Legislators also voted to issue subpoenas to University of Texas Chancellor [[Francisco Cigarroa]] and University of Texas, Austin President [[Bill Powers]] to appear at the December 18, 2013 meeting.<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/news/texas/article/Texas-House-committee-subpoenas-Hall-for-Dec-10-4977771.php ''San Francisco Chronicle'', "Texas House subpoenas Hall, but then recalls it," November 12, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://www.texastribune.org/2013/11/12/ut-system-lawyer-hall-may-have-shared-private-info/ ''Texas Tribune'', "UT System Lawyer: Hall May Have Shared Private Info," November 12, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://www.statesman.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/ut-regent-wallace-hall-might-have-broken-privacy-l/nbqkP/ ''Austin American Statesman'', "UT Regent Wallace Hall might have broken privacy laws, panel members suggest," November 12, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://www.texastribune.org/2013/11/12/demands-subpoenas-create-early-tension-hearing/ ''Texas Tribune'', "Committee Recalls Subpoena for UT Regent Hall," November 12, 2013]</ref>


In late November 2013, Perry and [[Texas House of Representatives|State House Speaker]] [[Joe Straus]] sent letters to gubernatorial appointees to address the impeachment trial. Perry's letter explained the importance of oversight of state agencies by gubernatorial appointees. In his letter, Straus agreed with Perry and wrote, "both board members and the Legislature need to ask difficult questions."<ref>[http://www.texastribune.org/2013/12/21/perry-straus-reach-out-appointees-light-probe/ ''Texas Tribune'', "Perry, Straus reach out to appointees amid Hall inquiry," December 21, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://dailycaller.com/2013/11/21/texas-tries-to-topple-higher-ed-transparency/ ''Daily Caller'', "Texas tries to topple higher-ed transparency," November 21, 2013]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/2/http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/10/30/5291735/perry-calls-regent-impeachment.html ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram'', "Perry calls regent impeachment “political theater”," October 30, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://lubbockonline.com/texas/2013-12-22/perry-straus-reach-out-appointees-amid-hall-inquiry#.Urg2vVWzKpg ''Lubbock Online'', "Perry, Straus Reach Out to Appointees Amid Hall Inquiry," December 22, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/documents/document2013-12-20-101051.pdf ''Texas Tribune'', "Letter from Rick Perry to Appointees," November 22, 2013]</ref>
Perry became the longest-serving governor in Texas history midway through his time in office. He eventually served over 14 consecutive years in the position. The record was previously held by Governor Bill Clements, who served eight years over two non-consecutive terms, and Allan Shiver, who had seven and one-half years of consecutive service.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/2/http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/12/15/1215perry.html ''Austin American-Statesman'', "Governor Views Longevity As Footnote To Tenure Focused On Economy, Conservative Values," December 15, 2008]</ref>  
 
In May 2014, Perry released a statement reaffirming his support for [[Wallace Hall|Hall]]. "Wallace Hall should be commended for his persistence — in the face of overwhelming opposition from bureaucrats — in trying to ensure the institutions of higher education under his purview are operating effectively, efficiently and within the law."<ref>[http://www.statesman.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/house-panel-to-meet-on-reasons-for-impeaching-ut-r/nf4xm/ ''Austin American-Statesman,'' "Perry defends UT regent as House panel drafts impeachment articles," May 21, 2014]</ref>
 
In February 2015, an independent report by Kroll Associates, commissioned by the [[University of Texas System Board of Regents|Regents Board]], confirmed a "pattern of special treatment for well-connected applicants to UT." While the report did not show evidence of any quid pro quo, it did show that "extra acceptances were extended every year to accommodate special cases" and that the "President’s Office ordered applicants admitted over the objection of the Admissions Office." It added that "efforts were made to minimize paper trails and written lists" during the process." The ''Wall Street Journal'' wrote that the report should "should put an end" to the concerns over Hall's clout investigations.<ref>[http://www.wsj.com/articles/texas-admissions-rumble-1423772596 ''Wall Street Journal'', "Texas Admissions Rumble," February 12, 2015]</ref>
=====Censure vote=====
Although the committee left open the possibility of revisiting impeachment, an [[Wallace Hall impeachment trial#August 11, 2014|August 11, 2014]] vote passed 6-1 to censure Hall, possibly bringing a close to the more than year-long process.<ref>[http://www.dallasnews.com/news/state/headlines/20140811-panel-censures-but-doesnt-impeach-ut-regent-wallace-hall.ece ''Dallas Morning News'', "Panel censures but doesn’t impeach UT Regent Wallace Hall," August 11, 2014]</ref><ref>[http://www.statesman.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/house-panel-to-consider-fate-of-ut-regent-wallace-/ngy9s/ ''Austin American-Statesman'', "Panel censures UT Regent Wallace L. Hall Jr.," August 11, 2014]</ref> In response to the censure vote, [[Governor of Texas]] [[Rick Perry]] issued a statement defending Hall's actions, saying the regent acted in the best interest of Texas "in the face of withering personal attacks."<ref>[http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/friendswood/opinion/statement-by-gov-perry-on-ut-regent-wallace-hall/article_2a0931ec-a194-5344-8326-52e45e97bfda.html ''Your Houston News'', "Statement by Gov. Perry on UT Regent Wallace Hall," August 11, 2014]</ref>
 
===Issue Positions===
 
====Voting Rights Act====
When the Supreme Court overturned a section of the 1965 Voting Rights Act on July 25, 2013, the Texas Voter ID law that was federally denied, became active. Texas' photo ID law, SB14, previously required pre-clearance by the USDOJ before going into effect which was denied on March 13, 2012. On August 30, 2012, a three-judge panel in United States District Court for the District of Columbia unanimously struck down the Texas photo voter identification law. The court ruled that the law would hurt minority voter turnout and impose strict burdens on the poor.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/31/us/court-blocks-tough-voter-id-law-in-texas.html?_r=2&hp ''The New York Times'', "Court Blocks Texas Voter ID Law, Citing Racial Impact," August 30, 2012]</ref>
[[Eric Holder]], the [[United States Attorney General|United States Attorney General]], announced on July 25, 2013, that the Justice Department will ask a court to require Texas to get federal approval before making changes to election laws.<ref name= times>[http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/26/us/holder-wants-texas-to-clear-voting-changes-with-the-us.html?smid=tw-share ''New York Times,'' Holder Wants Texas to Clear Voting Changes With the U.S., July 25, 2013]</ref>
In response to Holder's actions, Rick Perry spoke out in opposition saying Holder's remarks demonstrated “utter contempt for our country’s system of checks and balances.” Perry felt Holder's plan would weaken the state's voter-integrity laws and elections process.<ref name= times></ref>
 
====Gun control====
Following the unveiling of new federal gun control legislation in January 2013, Perry criticized the "political left and their cohorts in the media" for their response to the Newtown shooting, saying that it is not new laws that are needed but prayer. "As a free people, let us choose what kind of people we will be. Laws, the only redoubt of secularism, will not suffice. Let us all return to our places of worship and pray for help. Above all, let us pray for our children," he stated.<ref> [http://global.christianpost.com/news/texas-gov-rick-perry-says-prayer-not-gun-control-key-to-ending-violence-88454/ ''Christian Post'', "Texas Gov. Rick Perry Says Prayer, Not Gun Control, Key to Ending Violence," January 17, 2013] </ref>
====Texas health care====
Perry worked to reform Texas health care and make it more accessible and instituted the SCHIP program designed to insure 500,000 children. He increased health funding by $6 billion. Some of these programs have faced funding problems.<ref>[http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Profiles/Governor/Texas/Rick_Perry/Views/Health_Care/ ''The Political Guide'', "Rick Perry – healthcare," accessed June 30, 2012]</ref>
====Texas school funding====
Perry increased school funding prior to the 2002 election, creating new scholarship programs to help needy children in Texas. This included $300 million for the Texas GRANT Scholarship Program. Nine billion was allocated to Texas public schools, colleges and universities and combined with an emphasis on accountability for both teachers and students.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/rick-perrys-record-on-education-fact-checker-biography/2011/11/16/gIQAqn3CSN_blog.html ''Washington Post'', "Rick Perry’s record on education (Fact Checker biography)," November 17, 2011]</ref>
====Fiscal issues====
Perry, a proponent of fiscal conservatism, often campaigned on tax reform and job growth. Perry resisted new income and [[sales tax|sales taxes]], protected the state's "Rainy Day fund," balanced the state budget and worked to reduce [[property tax|property taxes]] that exploded with inflation in property values in the late 1990s. He was credited by some with attracting thousands of jobs to Texas in by cutting payroll and property taxes.<ref>[http://www.statesman.com/news/texas-politics/should-perry-get-credit-for-texas-economy-1615924.html ''Statesman,'' "Should Perry get credit for Texas economy?," July 16, 2011]</ref>
 
In early 2006, Perry angered many fiscal conservatives in his own party by supporting an increase in the state franchise tax along side a property tax reform bill. Many organizations within the Republican Party condemned Perry's tax bill, HB-3, and likened it to a "back door" state income tax. Perry claimed in a statewide advertising campaign that the bill would save the average taxpayer $2,000 in property taxes. Critics contended that Perry inflated these numbers. The actual tax savings, they contended, would total only $150 per family on average.<ref>[http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Profiles/Governor/Texas/Rick_Perry/Views/Taxes/ ''The Political Guide,'' "Rick Perry - Taxes," December 13, 2011]</ref>
In 2003, Perry signed legislation that created the Texas Enterprise Fund making the development of the economy of Texas a top priority. His [[sales tax]] cuts have attracted new retail to Texas but in recent years his tax relief has come under scrutiny for sapping strength from government programs, particularly education.<ref>[http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/10/13/the-texas-enterprise-fund-the-perry-campaign/ ''CBS Dallas-Fort Worth,'' "The Texas Enterprise Fund & The Perry Campaign," October 13, 2011]</ref>
 
Perry faced considerable resistance in balancing fiscal conservatism, education equity and the politics of school finance. As lieutenant governor, he initially sponsored a controversial school vouchers bill as an alternative to the "Robin Hood" proposal that was in place at the time. In 2004, Perry attacked the same "Robin Hood" plan as a part of the education system's woes and attempted to get the legislature to finally abolish the system and replace it with one that he believed would encourage greater equity, cost less, not increase property or sales taxes and not discourage job growth. While proclaiming his dedication to resolving the education funding issue, Perry also called three special legislative sessions in a row to force a redistricting plan through the legislature to re-align state precincts in favor of Republicans. Specifically, it was mentioned at the time by the proponents of the plan, including Tom DeLay, that they were not redistricting to deprive minorities, who historically voted Democrat, of their representation, but to give registered Republicans the advantage, and that this was "clearly not illegal or immoral."<ref name="OU">[https://web.archive.org/web/2/http://www.ou.edu/special/albertctr/extensions/fall2004/Gaddie.html ''University of Oklahoma,'' "The Texas Redistricting, Measure for Measure," Fall 2004]</ref>
 
A special session of the legislature was convened June 21, 2005, to address the issues, but there was considerable resistance in the house, even from Speaker Tom Craddick. Perry's proposal was attacked by Democrats and many Republicans who represent property-poor districts and was rejected.<ref name="OU"/> During the session, Perry became involved in a heated debate with Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn about the merits of his school finance proposal. Strayhorn planned to run against Perry in the 2006 primary, but later decided to run as an independent. Another special session was convened on July 21, 2005, after Perry vetoed all funding for public schools for the 2007-2008 biennium, stating in a press briefing that "I’m not going to approve an education budget that shortchanges teacher salary increases, textbooks, education technology, and education reforms. And I cannot let $2 billion sit in some bank account when it can go directly to the classroom."<ref name="comeback">[http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/3589/ ''Office of the Governor,'' "Gov. Perry Says Legislators Must Come Back, Get School Funding Right," June 18, 2005]</ref> Perry's 2006 campaign office stated that "without a special session, about $2 billion that had been intended for teacher pay raises, education reforms and other school priorities would have gone unused instead of going to schools because House Bill 2 (the public school reform package) didn’t pass."<ref name="comeback"/> The bill failed to pass in the first session, and was refiled in a second session, in which the bill was defeated 62-79, after 50 amendments were added without discussion or debate.
 
Late in 2005, as public approval of his governorship sunk to all-time lows, Perry requested assistance from his former lieutenant-governor campaign rival John Sharp - the former Texas state comptroller, railroad commissioner, senator and house representative - to head an education task force charged with preparing a bipartisan education plan for the 2006 special legislative session, which was convened April 17, 2006.  Foregoing the opportunity to run against Perry in the upcoming race for the governor's office (a race that many have since suggested that he would have won), Sharp accepted Perry's offer and went to work. The task force issued its final plan several months later, with the suggestions contained within the plan accepted by the Texas Legislature and made into law soon afterward.<ref>[http://www.governor.state.tx.us/priorities/tax_reform/TTRC_report/files/TTRC_report.pdf Office of the Governor, "Gov. Perry's Principles For A Stronger Texas" accessed April 18, 2011 ]</ref>  Former Comptroller Sharp and his hand-picked team are now credited with modernizing the Texas Tax Code, something that the government was unable to achieve under Governor Perry's leadership alone.  For his successful efforts, Sharp was later nominated by the Dallas Morning News for the "Texan of the Year" award.<ref>[http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/sunday-commentary/20101226-editorial-rick-perry-is-the-2010-texan-of-the-year.ece ''Dallas Morning News'', "Editorial: Rick Perry is the 2010 Texan of the Year," December 26, 2010]</ref>
 
====National prayer rally====
Perry caused a stir in July 2011 by announcing he would be heading an event in which citizens were invited to pray and fast for the state of the nation. The event, titled "The Response: A call to prayer for a nation in crisis," renewed the public discussion over separation of church and state in America. It  took place August 6, 2011 at Reliant Stadium in Houston.<ref>[http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/religion/article/30-000-heed-Perry-s-call-for-prayer-1751836.php ''My San Antonio'', "30,000 heed Perry's call for prayer," August 9, 2011]</ref>
 
The event’s website explained its purpose: "America has been besieged by financial debt, terrorism, and a multitude of natural disasters. The youth of America are in grave peril economically, socially, and, most of all, morally. There are threats emerging within our nation and beyond our borders beyond our power to solve...There is hope for America. It lies in heaven, and we will find it on our knees.."<ref>[http://theresponseusa.com/about/ "The Response: About" accessed December 23, 2015]</ref>
 
Governor Perry told an MSNBC reporter on July 14, 2011, that more than 6,000 people planned to attend, including Kansas governor [[Sam Brownback]]. The rally's invite list included all of the nation's governors, Obama administration officials, and the members of the [[Texas State Legislature]].<ref name='defends'>[http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43758839/ns/politics-more_politics/ ''MSNBC News'',"Texas governor defends prayer day after lawsuit filed," July 14, 2011]</ref>
 
The Wisconsin based Freedom from Religion Foundation filed Federal suit in attempt to stop Perry from speaking at the event.  The organization claimed “Gov. Perry's distasteful use of his civil office to plan and dictate a religious course of action to 'all citizens' is deeply offensive to many citizens, as well as to our secular form of government."<ref name='Fox'>[https://web.archive.org/web/2/http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpps/news/politics/110713-prayer-rally-lawsuit_14109434#ixzz1SDa4RTJ4 ''My Fox DFW'', "Federal Lawsuit Filed to Stop Gov. Perry Prayer Rally," July 13, 2011]</ref> US District Judge [[Gray Miller|Gray Miller]] dismissed the group's suit on July 28, 2011 because they "had suffered no injury and thus lacked the legal standing to sue."<ref>[http://www.texastribune.org/texas-newspaper/texas-news/brief-top-texas-news-july-29-2011/ ''Texas Tribune'', "The Brief: Top Texas News for July 29, 2011" July 29, 2011]</ref>
 
====Social Conservatism====
In 2005, Perry signed a bill that limited late term abortions and required girls under the age of 18 to have parental permission for an abortion. He signed the bill in the gymnasium of Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Worth, an evangelical Christian school and came under fire from abortion advocates.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/06/national/06texas.html?pagewanted=all ''New York Times,'' "Texas Governor Draws Criticism for a Bill-Signing Event at an Evangelical School ," June 6, 2005]</ref> He is also known for his socially conservative views on homosexuality; he condemned the United States Supreme Court decision in ''Lawrence vs. Texas'' striking down sodomy laws and called Texas's last such law "appropriate."<ref>[http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2011/08/12/294979/top-5-examples-of-perrys-anti-gay-agenda/?mobile=nc ''Think Progress,'' "Top 5 Examples of Perry’s Anti-Gay Agenda," August 12, 2011]</ref>
 
====Record use of vetoes====
Perry set a record in the 2001 legislative session for the use of the veto: he rejected legislation a total of 82 times, more than any governor in any single legislative session in the history of the state since reconstruction. Perry's use of the veto drew criticism from both parties in the 2002 gubernatorial campaign, having used the veto only nine fewer times than preceding governor [[George W. Bush]] over three legislative sessions and 22 more than Ann Richards cast in two sessions. In the two legislative sessions since the 2001 session, Perry was more conservative in his use of the veto, employing it only 51 times in total. However, as of 2005, he had used the veto more than any other Governor of Texas in a contiguous administration; the only governor who exceeded Perry's total was Republican Bill Clements, facing a Democrat dominated state government, vetoing legislation 184 times over two nonconsecutive terms to Perry's 132.<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/276264/vetoes-rick-perry-katrina-trinko ''National Review,'' "The Vetoes of Rick Perry," September 6, 2011]</ref>
 
====States' rights====
Perry has backed states' rights on several occasions, including the ability of states to decide their own policy on the environment and on drugs.<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/understanding-rick-perry-views-states-rights-182814623.html ''Yahoo,'' "Understanding Rick Perry’s views on states’ rights," August 2, 2011]</ref>
 
====Judicial Appointments====
::''See also: {{JP|Judges appointed by Rick Perry}}''
Perry has made numerous appointments to the Texas courts, the [[Texas Railroad Commission|Railroad Commission]], and other bodies and commissions during his tenure as governor. One of his first selections was the appointment of Xavier Rodriguez to the Texas Supreme Court. Rodriguez, who called himself a moderate, was quickly unseated in the 2002 Republican primary by conservative Steven Wayne Smith, the attorney in the ''Hopwood v. Texas'' suit in 1996, which successfully challenged affirmative action at the University of Texas Law School. Hopwood, however, was overturned in a 2003 decision stemming from the University of Michigan. Steven Smith was elected in the 2002 general election.<ref name="SWS">[https://web.archive.org/web/2/http://www.smithforsupremecourt.com/ ''Smith for Supreme Court,'' "Smith seeks return to Court, challenges Willett in 2012," accessed July 6, 2012]</ref>
 
Perry objected to Smith's tenure on the court and refused to meet with the new justice when he attempted to mend fences with the governor. Perry encouraged Judge Paul Green to challenge Smith in the 2004 Republican primary. Perry raised campaign cash for Green, who defeated Smith in the primary and was then elected without opposition in the 2004 general election. Smith attempted a comeback in the 2006 Republican primary by waging a shoestring challenge to Justice Don Willett, another Perry appointee who was also considered a strong conservative on the court. Smith polled 49.5 percent of the primary vote, but Perry's man prevailed.<ref name="SWS"/>
 
====Death penalty and crime====
Perry supports the death penalty and has been criticized by anti-death penalty groups including some human rights organizations worldwide.
 
Under Texas law, the Board of Pardon and Parole must make a recommendation to commute such a sentence, which the Governor is free to ignore, but the reverse is not true; if the Board does not make such a recommendation the Governor cannot then commute the sentence.  The only power the Governor has is to issue one, 30-day reprieve.<ref>[http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/bpp/faq/faq.html ''Texas Board of pardons and paroles,'' "FAQ," July 6, 2012]</ref> Perry rarely uses this authority.
 
In 2005, Frances Newton's appeal for a commutation of her death penalty was declined, although some alleged that there was insufficient evidence to convict. Her attorney had also argued Newton was incapable of standing trial.  Frances Newton was executed on September 14, 2005.  The Board of Pardon and Parole did not recommend a commutation, thus Perry could not do so himself, and chose not to grant the one-time reprieve.<ref>[http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2005-09-09/288994/ ''Austin Chronicle,'' "Without Evidence: Executing Frances Newton," September 9, 2005]</ref>
 
In 2007, however, Perry used his power to issue pardons. Tyrone Brown was an African-American who was sentenced to life in a Texas maximum security prison in 1990 for smoking marijuana while on probation. Texas Judge Keith Dean had originally placed Brown on probation but changed the sentence after Brown tested positive for marijuana. After being defeated in the last Dallas election, Judge Dean requested the governor pardon Brown. On 9 March 2007, Governor Perry granted Brown a conditional pardon.<ref>[http://www.dallasnews.com/investigations/headlines/20070310-pot-smoker-jailed-for-life-gets-pardon-.ece ''Dallas Morning News,'' "Pot smoker jailed for life gets pardon," March 10, 2007]</ref>
 
====Border Security====
Governor Perry has called on the federal government to fund border security measures and to send troops to help man Texas's border with Mexico. He requested 100,000 federal troops to be sent to Texas in 2009. "I don't care if they are military, National Guard or customs agents...We're very concerned that the federal government is not funding border security adequately. We must be ready for any contingency," he said.<ref>[http://www.elpasotimes.com/juarez/ci_11779431 ''El Paso Times'', "Gov. Perry wants U.S. troops guarding border," February 25, 2009 ]</ref>
 
====Inauguration concert====
Perry invited his friend, rocker Ted Nugent, to perform at a black-tie gala hours after Perry's second inauguration ceremony. Using machine guns as props, Nugent allegedly appeared onstage as the final act of the inaugural ball wearing a cutoff T-shirt emblazoned with the Confederate flag and shouting offensive remarks about non-English speakers, according to press reports. Nugent denied making any racial comments.<ref>[http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Nugent-rocks-Perry-ball-with-Confederate-shirt-1816162.php ''Houston Chronicle,'' "Nugent rocks Perry ball with Confederate shirt," January 18, 2007]</ref>
 
====Tax returns====
Perry disclosed two decades worth of tax returns as he was gearing up for the 2010 primary battle.<ref>[http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/rick-perry-tax-return-documents/ ''Texas Tribune,'' "Rick Perry's Federal Tax Returns 1987-2010," July 28, 2011]</ref> The key item of controversial in the returns was Perry's financial relationship with Troy Fraser, a Republican state senator. Perry sold to Fraser a tract of lakefront property in March 2007 for $1.14 million, making a profit of $823,766.  The returns also showed that Perry achieved millionaire status in 2009.<ref>[http://www.texaswatchdog.org/2009/08/gov-rick-perry-hits-the-million-dollar-milepost/ ''Texas Watchdog,'' "Gov. Rick Perry hits the million-dollar milepost," August 11, 2009]</ref>
 
====Cervical cancer vaccine====
On February 2, 2007 Perry issued an Executive Order mandating that Texas girls be vaccinated with Gardasil, a drug manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc. that protects against some strains of the HPV virus which causes cervical cancer.
 
Perry's move has been criticized by social conservatives and some parents due to concerns about the moral implications of the vaccine and safety concerns. On February 22, 2007 a group of families sued in an attempt to block Gov. Perry's executive order.<ref>[http://newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/2/25/111903.shtml ''Newsmax,'' "Texas Families Seek to Block Gov's Order," February 25, 2007]</ref>  Several financial connections between Merck and Rick Perry have been reported, such as a $6,000 campaign contribution, as well as Merck's hiring of former Perry Chief of Staff Mike Toomey to handle its Texas lobby work.<ref>[http://www.nbcnews.com/id/17276840/ns/politics/t/texas-vaccine-law-donation-timing-questioned/#.Vnrct1ncChw ''NBC News,'' "Texas vaccine law, donation timing questioned," February 22, 2007] </ref>
 
Adding to the criticism of Perry's order is what is viewed by some as a high price of the vaccine which is approximately $US360 in Texas.  Being a patent protected vaccine, Merck is the sole producer of Gardasil.
 
On May 9, 2007, Perry allowed a bill to go into law that would undo his executive order.<ref>[http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/05/09/9hpv.html ''Austin Statesman,'' "Bill would overturn his mandate," May 9, 2007] ''([[dead link]])''</ref>
 
====Notable pardons====
 
 
====Job creation ranking====
{{Govs by job creation ranking 2013|Name=Perry|Number=2}}
In 2013, Perry began working to convince businesses from highly taxed and regulated states to move to [[Texas]]. He began in [[California]] in February and went to [[Illinois]] in April.<ref> [http://business.time.com/2013/04/24/why-is-texas-governor-rick-perry-in-illinois/ ''Time,'' "Why is Texas Governor Rick Perry in Illinois?," April 24, 2013] </ref>
 
While Illinois Gov. [[Pat Quinn (Former governor of Illinois)|Pat Quinn]] (D) and other politicians dismissed Perry's trip, [[Illinois State Treasurer|state Treasurer]] [[Dan Rutherford]] indicated the move needed to be taken more seriously. He stated, “Though the state has many strong points, it is no secret that Illinois’ financial flaws are a downfall for business owners and residents. Texas Governor Rick Perry’s attempt to get Illinois businesses to move to Texas should sound an alarm to state leaders.”<ref> [http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/04/22/texas-gov-perry-visits-chicago-to-poach-illinois-jobs/ ''CBS 2 Chicago,'' "Texas Governor In Chicago To Lure Business To Lone Star State," April 22, 2013] </ref>
 
====2014 Iraq crisis====
In the summer of 2014, Perry wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post denouncing what he deemed "isolationist" policies and specifically criticizing [[United States Senate|Sen.]] [[Rand Paul]] for promoting these policies.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/rick-perry-isolationist-policies-make-the-threat-of-terrorism-even-greater/2014/07/11/6dbfba4a-06f0-11e4-bbf1-cc51275e7f8f_story.html ''The Washington Post'', "Isolationist policies make the threat of terrorism even greater," July 11, 2014]</ref> This disagreement on foreign policy was focused on their different approaches to the concurrent crisis in Iraq, in which a [[Wikipedia:Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|militant group]] proclaiming an "Islamic State" was advancing against the Iraqi government. Paul responded via an op-ed in Politico that called Perry's argument "dead wrong."<ref>[http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/07/rick-perry-is-dead-wrong-108860.html?hp=f3#.U8RWzfldUrX ''Politico'', "Rick Perry Is Dead Wrong," July 14, 2014]</ref> Paul's article asserted a difference between not wanting troops on the ground, which he claimed that Perry supported, and isolationism, a label that Paul rejected.


===Lieutenant Governor (1999-2000)===
===Lieutenant Governor (1999-2000)===
In 1998, Perry ran for lieutenant governor to succeed the retiring Democrat Bob Bullock. Perry polled 1,858,837 votes (50.04 percent) to the 1,790,106 (48.19 percent) cast for Democrat John Sharp of Victoria, who relinquished the comptroller's position after two terms to run for lieutenant governor. [[Libertarian]] Anthony Garcia polled another 65,150 votes (1.75 percent).<ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?fips=48&year=1998&f=0&off=6&elect=0 ''US Election Atlas,'' "1998 Lt. Gubernatorial General Election Results - Texas," accessed July 6, 2012]</ref>
In 1998, Perry ran for lieutenant governor to succeed the retiring Democrat Bob Bullock. Perry won 1,858,837 votes (50.04 percent) to the 1,790,106 (48.19 percent) cast for Democrat John Sharp of Victoria. [[Libertarian]] Anthony Garcia won another 65,150 votes (1.75 percent).<ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?fips=48&year=1998&f=0&off=6&elect=0 ''US Election Atlas'', "1998 Lt. Gubernatorial General Election Results - Texas," accessed July 6, 2012]</ref>


===Agriculture Commissioner (1991-1999)===
===Texas Agriculture Commissioner (1991-1999)===
In 1990, in a race for commissioner of agriculture new Republican Perry unseated Democrat Jim Hightower. Hightower had worked for Jesse Jackson in the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988, while Perry had supported Tennessee Senator Al Gore and was Gore's campaign chairman in Texas in 1988.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2081596,00.html ''Time.com,'' "A Texas Two-Step: When Rick Perry Backed Al Gore," July 16, 2011]</ref>
In the 1990 race for commissioner of agriculture, Perry unseated Democrat Jim Hightower.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2081596,00.html ''Time.com'', "A Texas Two-Step: When Rick Perry Backed Al Gore," July 16, 2011]</ref>


As [[Texas Commissioner of Agriculture|agriculture commissioner]], Perry was responsible for promoting the sale of Texas farm produce to other states and foreign nations and supervising the calibration of weights and measures such as gasoline pumps and grocery store scales.
As [[Texas Commissioner of Agriculture|agriculture commissioner]], Perry was responsible for promoting the sale of Texas farm produce to other states and foreign nations and supervising the calibration of weights and measures, such as gasoline pumps and grocery store scales.


Perry was re-elected agriculture commissioner by a large margin in 1994. He polled 2,546,287 (61.92 percent) to Democrat Marvin Gregory's 1,479,692 (35.98 percent). [[Libertarian]] Clyde L. Garland received 85,836 votes (2.08 percent).<ref>[http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/08/13/3288985/facts-about-gov-rick-perry.html ''Star-Telegram,'' "Facts about Governor Rick Perry," August 13, 2011] ''([[dead link]])''</ref>
Perry was re-elected agriculture commissioner in 1994. He earned 2,546,287 votes (61.92 percent), defeating Democrat Marvin Gregory's 1,479,692 votes (35.98 percent). [[Libertarian]] Clyde L. Garland received 85,836 votes (2.08 percent).<ref>[http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/08/13/3288985/facts-about-gov-rick-perry.html ''Star-Telegram'', "Facts about Governor Rick Perry," August 13, 2011] ''([[dead link]])''</ref>


===Texas Legislature (1982-1990)===
===Texas State Legislature (1984-1990)===
Perry has said that his interest in politics probably began in December 1961, when, at the age of 11, his father took him to the funeral of the legendary Sam Rayburn, who during his long public career served as Speaker of the Texas House and the U.S. House. Dignitaries from all over the nation descended on the small town of Bonham, Texas for the official farewell to Rayburn.<ref>[http://www.wlky.com/news/politics/Rick-Perry/-/9365900/3904282/-/12wumeh/-/index.html ''WLKY,'' "Rick Perry," January 19, 2012]</ref>
In 1984, Perry was elected to the [[Texas House of Representatives]] as a Democrat from a district that included his home county of Haskell. He served on the Texas House Appropriations and Calendars Committees during his three terms as a state legislator, where he was known as one of the "Pit Bulls," a group of Appropriations members who sat on the lower dais in the committee room (or "pit") who pushed for austere state budgets during the 1980s. In 1989, ''The Dallas Morning News'' named him one of the most effective legislators in the 71st legislature. In 1989, Perry announced that he was joining the Republican Party.<ref>[http://www.politifact.com/texas/statements/2011/sep/06/rick-perry/rick-perry-says-he-switched-gop-younger-age-reagan/ ''PolitiFact'', "Rick Perry says he switched to GOP at a younger age than Reagan did," August 30, 2011]</ref>


In 1982, as his term on the Board of Education ended, Perry was elected to the [[Texas House of Representatives]] as a Democrat from a district that included his home county of Haskell. He served on the important House Appropriations and Calendars Committees during his three terms as a state legislator, where he was known as one of the "Pit Bulls," a group of Appropriations Members who sat on the lower dais in the committee room (or "pit") who pushed for austere state budgets during the lean 1980s. In 1989, ''The Dallas Morning News'' named him one of the most effective legislators in the 71st legislature. In 1989, Perry announced that he was joining the Republican Party.<ref>[http://www.politifact.com/texas/statements/2011/sep/06/rick-perry/rick-perry-says-he-switched-gop-younger-age-reagan/ ''PolitiFact,'' "Rick Perry says he switched to GOP at a younger age than Reagan did," August 30, 2011]</ref>
==Issues==
===Trump administration's energy agenda===
*On January 24, 2018, discussed the Trump administration’s “Energy Dominance” agenda, which is aimed at increasing the domestic production of fossil fuels. He said, “The United States is not just exporting energy, we’re exporting freedom. We’re exporting to our allies in Europe the opportunity to truly have a choice of where do you buy your energy from. That’s freedom. And that kind of freedom is priceless.”<ref>[http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/370468-perry-us-is-not-just-exporting-energy-were-exporting-freedom ''The Hill'', "Perry: US ‘not just exporting energy, we’re exporting freedom,'" January 24, 2018]</ref>


==On The Issues Vote Match==
==Presidential preference==
[[File:s010_080.gif|right|290px|thumb|Rick Perry's Vote Match results from ''On The Issues''.]]
Perry had previously endorsed [[Ted Cruz]], who ended his presidential campaign on May 3, 2016.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/25/politics/ted-cruz-rick-perry-endorsement/ ''CNN'', "Rick Perry endorses Ted Cruz," January 25, 2016]</ref>
:: ''See also: [[On The Issues Vote Match]]''
{{2016 presidential endorsement
''On The Issues'' conducts a [http://www.ontheissues.org/ VoteMatch] analysis of elected officials based on 20 issue areas. Rather than relying on incumbents to complete the quiz themselves, the VoteMatch analysis is conducted using voting records, statements to the media, debate transcripts or citations from books authored by or about the candidate.<ref name="ontheissues"/>
|Last name=Perry
{{Ontheissues vote quiz|Name=Perry|Philosophy=Hard-Core Conservative|Image=s010_080.gif|Date=May 20, 2015|Link=http://governor.ontheissues.org/Rick_Perry.htm|Ref=<ref name="ontheissues">[http://governor.ontheissues.org/Rick_Perry.htm ''On The Issues'', "Rick Perry Vote Match," accessed May 20, 2015]</ref>
|Endorser title=Former presidential candidate
|Abortion= Strongly Opposes
|Endorser party=Republican
|Hiring= Unknown
|Candidate=Donald Trump
|Marriage= Strongly Opposes
|Candidate party=Republican
|God= Strongly Favors
|Date=May 2016
|ObamaCare= Strongly Opposes
|Source=[http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/05/politics/rick-perry-endorses-donald-trump/index.html CNN]
|Social Security= Favors
|Ref=<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/05/politics/rick-perry-endorses-donald-trump/index.html ''CNN'', "First on CNN: Rick Perry endorses Donald Trump for president," May 5, 2016]</ref>
|School Choice= Strongly Favors
|Environment= Favors
|Crime= Strongly Favors
|Guns= Strongly Favors
|Taxes= Strongly Opposes
|Citizenship= Opposes
|Free Trade= Favors
|United Nations= Opposes
|Military= Strongly Favors
|Vote= Opposes
|Iran= Strongly Opposes
|Energy= Opposes
|Marijuana= Favors
|Stimulus= Strongly Opposes
}}
}}


==Elections==
==Elections==
===2016===
===2016===
====Presidency====
::''See also: [[Rick Perry presidential campaign, 2016]] and [[Presidential election, 2016]]''  
::''See also: [[Rick Perry presidential campaign, 2016]] and [[Presidential election, 2016]]''  


Perry ran for president in 2016. He announced on September 11, 2015, that he had suspended his campaign. Previously, on June 4, 2015, Perry announced his run for [[Presidential election, 2016|President of the United States]], releasing a video on his campaign website before speaking in front of a crowd of supporters in [[Addison, Texas]].<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/04/politics/rick-perry-2016-presidential-announcement/ ''CNN'', "Rick Perry launches comeback White House bid," June 4, 2015]</ref>
Perry ran for president in 2016. On June 4, 2015, Perry announced his run for [[Presidential election, 2016|President of the United States]], releasing a video on his campaign website before speaking in front of a crowd of supporters in [[Addison, Texas]].<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/04/politics/rick-perry-2016-presidential-announcement/ ''CNN'', "Rick Perry launches comeback White House bid," June 4, 2015]</ref> He announced on September 11, 2015, that he had suspended his campaign.


===2014===
===2014===
:: ''See also: [[Texas gubernatorial election, 2014]]''
:: ''See also: [[Texas gubernatorial election, 2014]]''
Perry chose not to seek re-election to a fourth term as [[Governor of Texas]] in the [[State executive official elections, 2014|2014 election]].<ref>[http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TEXAS_GEORGE_P_BUSH?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-11-14-18-41-10 ''Associated Press'', "Dad: George P. Bush eyeing Texas land commissioner," November 14, 2012]</ref><ref name=termlimitdown>[http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/05/term-limit-proposal-goes-down-in-the-house.html/ ''The Dallas Morning News,'' "Term limit proposal goes down in the House," May 15, 2013]</ref>
Perry chose not to seek re-election to a fourth term as [[Governor of Texas|governor of Texas]] in the [[State executive official elections, 2014|2014 election]].<ref>[http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TEXAS_GEORGE_P_BUSH?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-11-14-18-41-10 ''Associated Press'', "Dad: George P. Bush eyeing Texas land commissioner," November 14, 2012]</ref><ref name=termlimitdown>[http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/05/term-limit-proposal-goes-down-in-the-house.html/ ''The Dallas Morning News'', "Term limit proposal goes down in the House," May 15, 2013]</ref>


On July 8, 2013, Perry announced "I remain excited about the future and the challenges ahead but the time has come to pass on the mantle of leadership."<ref> [http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/08/19355690-perry-wont-seek-re-election-as-tx-governor?lite ''NBC News,'' "Perry won't seek re-election as TX governor," July 8, 2013] </ref>
On July 8, 2013, Perry said, "I remain excited about the future and the challenges ahead but the time has come to pass on the mantle of leadership."<ref>[http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/08/19355690-perry-wont-seek-re-election-as-tx-governor?lite ''NBC News'', "Perry won't seek re-election as TX governor," July 8, 2013] </ref>


===2012===
===2012===
:: ''See also: [[Endorsements by state officials of presidential candidates in the 2012 election]]''
:: ''See also: [[Endorsements by state officials of presidential candidates in the 2012 election]]''
Rick Perry formally announced on August 13, 2011 that he was running for the 2012 [[Republican]] US presidential nomination. Speaking to a group of conservative bloggers in Charleston, South Carolina, he went directly after President [[Barack Obama]] for his "failed western European social values" and criticized Obama's economic policies for trying to "win the future by selling it off to foreign creditors."<ref name='announce12'>[http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-presidential-election/rick-perry-announces-president/ ''Texas Tribune'', "Updated: Perry Announces 2012 Run, Attacks Obama," August 13, 2011]</ref> "We don't need a president who apologizes for America. We need a president who protects and projects those values."<ref name='announce12'/>
Perry formally announced on August 13, 2011, that he was running for the 2012 [[Republican]] U.S. presidential nomination. Speaking to a group of conservative bloggers in Charleston, South Carolina, he went directly after President [[Barack Obama]] for his "failed western European social values" and criticized Obama's economic policies for trying to "win the future by selling it off to foreign creditors."<ref name='announce12'>[http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-presidential-election/rick-perry-announces-president/ ''Texas Tribune'', "Updated: Perry Announces 2012 Run, Attacks Obama," August 13, 2011]</ref> "We don't need a president who apologizes for America. We need a president who protects and projects those values," he said.<ref name='announce12'/>


Perry made the highly anticipated announcement of his presidential run on the same day as the Iowa Straw Poll. While his name was not on the ballot, Perry placed sixth in the influential poll as a write-in candidate - beating former Massachusetts governor [[Mitt Romney]] whose name was on the ballot.<ref name='poll'>[http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/13/nation/la-na-iowa-straw-poll-2012-20110814 ''LA Times'', "Perry overshadows Bachmann's Iowa victory," August 13, 2011]</ref> The timing of his announcement had the added campaign benefit of eclipsing Republican competitor Michelle Bachman's victory in Ames.
Perry announced his presidential run on the same day as the Iowa Straw Poll. While his name was not on the ballot, Perry placed sixth in the poll as a write-in candidate, beating former Massachusetts Governor [[Mitt Romney]] whose name was on the ballot.<ref name='poll'>[http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/13/nation/la-na-iowa-straw-poll-2012-20110814 ''LA Times'', "Perry overshadows Bachmann's Iowa victory," August 13, 2011]</ref>  


On January 19, 2012, Perry suspended his campaign for the Republican nomination, choosing instead to endorse Newt Gingrich.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/19/politics/perry-dropping-out/ ''CNN Politics'', "Perry drops out, endorses Gingrich," January 19, 2012] </ref>
On January 19, 2012, Perry suspended his campaign for the Republican nomination, choosing instead to endorse [[Newt Gingrich]].<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/19/politics/perry-dropping-out/ ''CNN Politics'', "Perry drops out, endorses Gingrich," January 19, 2012] </ref>


====Race background====
====Race background====
Perry began hinting at a potential 2012 bid for the presidency in May 2011. Reversing his previous insistence that he was not interested, Perry said on May 27, 2011, "I'm going to think about it. I think about a lot of things."<ref name='pres'>[http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2011/may/27/perry-presidential-run-im-going-think-about-it/ ''PolitiFact'', "Perry on a presidential run: 'I’m going to think about it'," May 27, 2011] </ref> The governor stated he wanted to wait until the [[Texas State Legislature]] adjourned before making a decision on a presidential run.<ref name='pres'/><ref name='wapo'>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/will-rick-perry-run-for-president/2011/06/30/AGVRwXtH_story_1.html ''The Washington Post'', "Will Rick Perry run for president?" July 1, 2011]</ref>


Governor Perry began hinting at a potential 2012 bid for the US Presidency in May 2011. Reversing his previous insistence that he was not interested, Perry fielded a question concerning his presidential intentions on May 27, 2011, with "I'm going to think about it. I think about a lot of things."<ref name='pres'>[http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2011/may/27/perry-presidential-run-im-going-think-about-it/ ''PolitiFact'', "Perry on a presidential run: 'I’m going to think about it'," May 27, 2011] </ref> The governor stated he wanted to wait until the [[Texas State Legislature]] adjourned before making a decision on a presidential run.<ref name='pres'/>
When asked by the ''Des Moines Register'' in July 2011 about his plans to run, Perry said, “I’m not ready to tell you that I’m ready to announce that I’m in. But I’m getting more and more comfortable every day that this is what I’ve been called to do. This is what America needs.”<ref name='iowa'>[http://dailycaller.com/2011/07/26/perry-radio-ad-debuts-in-iowa/ ''The Daily Caller'', "Perry radio ad debuts in Iowa," July 26, 2011]</ref>
 
Perry, a star among the Tea Party and conservatives, had long deflected calls from groups and activists across the nation to throw his hat in the presidential ring. Supporters cited his consistent conservative record and Texas's strong economic performance under his leadership as two of their many reasons for backing Perry. With Perry in the race, the Texas economy became even more of a national focus given the prolonged economic recession in the United States. As ''The Washington Post'' reported, "nearly four out of 10 of the jobs created in this country since the recovery began have been in the Lone Star State. As of May 2011, Texas was one of only three states (plus the District) that had rebounded to their pre-recession employment levels, according to statistics provided by the Federal Reserve Board of Dallas."<ref name='wapo'>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/will-rick-perry-run-for-president/2011/06/30/AGVRwXtH_story_1.html ''The Washington Post'', "Will Rick Perry run for president?," July 1, 2011]</ref> The struggling national economy had been seen as one of President Obama's weaknesses since taking office, and some Republicans saw Perry's success in Texas as valuable firepower for 2012.
 
When asked by the ''Des Moines Register'' in July 2011 about his plans, Perry said “I’m not ready to tell you that I’m ready to announce that I’m in. But I’m getting more and more comfortable every day that this is what I’ve been called to do. This is what America needs.”<ref name='iowa'>[http://dailycaller.com/2011/07/26/perry-radio-ad-debuts-in-iowa/ ''The Daily Caller'', "Perry radio ad debuts in Iowa," July 26, 2011]</ref>
 
Another sign towards a Perry presidential campaign surfaced on July 26, 2011 when the fiscally conservative group GrowPac (based in New York) announced their support for Perry by launching a radio campaign in Iowa urging people to write in Rick Perry on the August 13th Ames Straw Poll.<ref name='iowa'/> The 60-second radio ad read:
 
<blockquote>
Hi, I’m David Malpass.
 
As an economist and father of four, I’m appalled at Washington’s out of control debt. President Obama is making things worse. We need a president who will stop this.
 
Texas Governor Rick Perry has a proven track record of controlling spending and creating jobs. He succeeded in Texas by believing in less government, not more.
 
Rick Perry understands the 10th amendment and has the backbone to bring an upheaval to Washington.
 
Iowa has a chance to turn things around for America.
 
At the Ames Straw Poll write in Rick Perry, he can win and make America secure again.


I worked for Ronald Reagan and I know how countries create growth and jobs.
Another sign towards a Perry presidential campaign surfaced on July 26, 2011, when the fiscally conservative group GrowPac announced its support for Perry by launching a radio campaign in Iowa urging people to write in Perry on the August 13th Ames Straw Poll.<ref name='iowa'/> The 60-second radio ad read:


Let’s give Rick Perry a chance.
{{quote|Hi, I’m David Malpass. As an economist and father of four, I’m appalled at Washington’s out of control debt. President Obama is making things worse. We need a president who will stop this. Texas Governor Rick Perry has a proven track record of controlling spending and creating jobs. He succeeded in Texas by believing in less government, not more. Rick Perry understands the 10th amendment and has the backbone to bring an upheaval to Washington. Iowa has a chance to turn things around for America. At the Ames Straw Poll write in Rick Perry, he can win and make America secure again. I worked for Ronald Reagan and I know how countries create growth and jobs. Let’s give Rick Perry a chance. GrowPac is responsible for the content of this advertising. Paid for by GrowPAC and not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. Visit David Malpass’ GrowPac.Com|author=David Malpass<ref name='iowa'/>}}
 
GrowPac is responsible for the content of this advertising. Paid for by GrowPAC and not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. Visit David Malpass’ GrowPac.Com<ref name='iowa'/>
 
</blockquote>
 
As of July 27th 2011, prospects for a Perry Presidential campaign remained high, but still undecided. One of Perry's top advisors told ''CNN'' "Rick Perry is not a half-in kind of person on anything, ever. If he decides to move forward he'll be all in. If he is out, he'll be out just as quickly. But we have not made any hard decisions yet."<ref>[http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/27/exploratory-committee-not-likely-for-perry/ ''CNN'' "Exploratory committee not likely for Perry," July 27, 2011]</ref>


Perry formally announced he was running for president on August 13, 2011.
Perry formally announced he was running for president on August 13, 2011.


====Endorsements====
====Endorsements====
A total of 51 elected officials endorsed Rick Perry for the 2012 US presidency before he left the race.  
A total of 51 elected officials endorsed Rick Perry for the 2012 presidency before he left the race.  


For a full list see: [[Endorsements by state officials of presidential candidates in the 2012 election]]
For a full list see: [[Endorsements by state officials of presidential candidates in the 2012 election]]
Line 310: Line 103:
:: ''See also: [[Texas gubernatorial election, 2010]]''
:: ''See also: [[Texas gubernatorial election, 2010]]''


Governor Rick Perry won re-election in 2010. He faced two challengers in the Republican primary: [[Kay Bailey Hutchison]] and Debra Medina. Perry was able to avoid a runoff, by receiving 51 percent of the votes cast on March 2nd. He faced ex-Houston Mayor, [[Bill White]], who was the Democratic nominee, and [[Kathie Glass|Katherine Youngblood Glass]], the Libertarian nominee, and [[Deb Shafto]], the Green Party nominee, in the general election on November 2, 2010.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35661641 Governor Rick Perry wins GOP nomination for Governor of Texas - MSNBC]</ref><ref>[http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2010-texas-governors-race/libertarian-party-of-texas-chooses-its-candidate/ Libertarian Party of Texas Chooses Its Candidate - Texas Tribune]</ref>
Perry won re-election in 2010. He faced two challengers in the Republican primary: [[Kay Bailey Hutchison]] and Debra Medina. Perry was able to avoid a runoff, by receiving 51 percent of the votes cast on March 2nd. He faced ex-Houston Mayor [[Bill White]] (D), [[Kathie Glass|Katherine Youngblood Glass]] (L), and [[Deb Shafto]] (G) in the general election on November 2, 2010.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35661641 ''MSNBC'', "Governor Rick Perry wins GOP nomination for Governor of Texas," March 3, 2010]</ref>
 
{{SEO election box
{{SEO election box
|date = November 2, 2010
|date = November 2, 2010
Line 317: Line 111:
|year=2010
|year=2010
|winner1 = [[Rick Perry]]
|winner1 = [[Rick Perry]]
|losers = [[Bill White]], [[Kathie Glass]], [[Deb Shafto]] and Andy Barron
|losers = [[Bill White]], [[Kathie Glass]], [[Deb Shafto]], and Andy Barron
|votes1 =2737481  
|votes1 =2737481  
|Inc1 = Y
|Inc1 = Y
Line 337: Line 131:
===2006===
===2006===
:: ''See also: [[Texas gubernatorial election, 2006]]''
:: ''See also: [[Texas gubernatorial election, 2006]]''
In the 2006 November general election, Perry defeated a Democrat, former Congressman Chris Bell of Houston; a [[Libertarian]], sales consultant James Werner; and two independent candidates, outgoing [[Texas Comptroller]] Carole Keeton Strayhorn and [[Richard "Kinky" Friedman]], a country singer.
In the 2006 November general election, Perry defeated former Congressman Chris Bell of Houston (D), sales consultant James Werner (L), outgoing [[Texas Comptroller]] Carole Keeton Strayhorn (I), and country singer [[Richard "Kinky" Friedman]] (I).


{{SEO election box
{{SEO election box
Line 345: Line 139:
|party1=  Republican
|party1=  Republican
|winner1 = [[ Rick Perry]]
|winner1 = [[ Rick Perry]]
|losers = Chris Bell, James Werner, Richard "Kinky" Friedman, Carole Keeton Strayhorn and James "Patriot" Dillon
|losers = Chris Bell, James Werner, Richard "Kinky" Friedman, Carole Keeton Strayhorn, and James "Patriot" Dillon
|votes1 = 1716792
|votes1 = 1716792
|Inc1 = Y
|Inc1 = Y
Line 367: Line 161:


===2002===
===2002===
:: ''See also: [[Texas gubernatorial election, 2002]]''
In the 2002 general election, Perry earned 2,632,591 votes (57.80 percent) to Sanchez's 1,819,798 (39.96 percent). Four other candidates shared 2.21 percent of the vote. In 2006, Perry earned a second term with 39 percent of the vote. While 61 percent of Texas voters opposed Perry, he won by plurality because his opposition was split four ways. Perry was the first governor since 1861 to be elected by a plurality of less than 40 percent. (There was also a similar plurality winner in 1853.)<ref>[http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Profiles/Governor/Texas/Rick_Perry/ElectionResults/ ''The political guide'', "Election Results – Governor, Texas," accessed June 30, 2012]</ref>


:: ''See also: [[Texas gubernatorial election, 2002]]''
In the 2002 general election, Perry polled 2,632,591 votes (57.80 percent) to Sanchez's 1,819,798 (39.96 percent). Four other candidates shared some 2.21 percent of the vote. In 2006, Perry gained a second term with only 39 percent of the vote. While 61 percent of Texas voters opposed Perry, he won by plurality because his opposition was split four ways. Perry was the first governor since 1861 to be elected by a plurality of less than 40 percent. (There was also a similar plurality winner in 1853.)<ref>[http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Profiles/Governor/Texas/Rick_Perry/ElectionResults/ ''The political guide,'' "Election Results – Governor, Texas," accessed June 30, 2012]</ref>
{{SEO election history box
{{SEO election history box
|date = November 5, 2002
|date = November 5, 2002
Line 378: Line 172:
|party1=  Republican
|party1=  Republican
|winner1 = [[ Rick Perry]]
|winner1 = [[ Rick Perry]]
|losers = Tony Sanchez, Jeff Daiell, Rahul Mahajan, Elaine Eure Henderson and Earl W. (Bill) O'Neil
|losers = Tony Sanchez, Jeff Daiell, Rahul Mahajan, Elaine Eure Henderson, and Earl W. (Bill) O'Neil
|votes1 = 2632591
|votes1 = 2632591
|Inc1 = Y
|Inc1 = Y
Line 399: Line 193:
}}<br>
}}<br>


==Campaign donors==
==Campaign finance summary==
{{Comprehensive donor history
<APIWidget where='people.id=295117' template='CampaignFinanceSummary' />
|Name=Perry
 
|year=1998
==2016 Republican National Convention==
|Editdate= May 9, 2013
::''See also: [[Republican National Convention, 2016]]''
|link=<ref>[http://www.followthemoney.org/database/uniquecandidate.phtml?uc=3156 '' Follow the Money,'' " Career fundraising for Rick Perry,"  accessed May 9, 2013] </ref>
{{Delegate infobox
|party= Republican
|Project = 2016 Delegates
|totalraised2012=6564600
|Name = Rick Perry
|result2012=N/A
|Profile Picture =  
|office2012=Texas Governor
|Event = R
|totalraised2010=39328540
|Status = At-large delegate
|result2010=Won
|Congressional District =  
|office2010=Texas Governor
|State = [[Presidential election in Texas, 2016|Texas]]
|totalraised2008=10147129
|Binding = Ted Cruz
|result2008=N/A
|Supporting =  
|office2008=Texas Governor
}}Perry {{Greener | start=7/21/2016 11:00pm EST|before= is| after= was}}  [[Types of delegates|an at-large delegate]] to the [[Republican National Convention, 2016|2016 Republican National Convention]] from [[Presidential election in Texas, 2016|Texas]]. Perry {{Greener | start=7/21/2016 11:00pm EST|before= is| after= was}} one of 104 delegates from Texas bound by state party rules to support [[Ted Cruz presidential campaign, 2016|Ted Cruz]] at the convention.<ref>[http://www.texasgop.org/national-convention/ ''Texas GOP'', "National Convention," May 19, 2016]</ref> {{Ted Cruz delegates, 2016}}
|totalraised2006=20199539
 
|result2006=Won
===Delegate rules===
|office2006=Texas Governor
{{TX delegate guidelines, 2016}}
|totalraised2004=10299759
 
|result2004=N/A
===Texas primary results===
|office2004=Texas Governor
::''See also: [[Presidential election in Texas, 2016]]''
|totalraised2002=20674811
{{TXSuperTuesdayR}}
|result2002=Won
|office2002=Texas Governor
|totalraised2000=4056425
|result2000=N/A
|office2000=Texas Governor
|totalraised1998=12385439
|result1998=Won
|office1998=Texas Lieutenant Governor
}}


===1998-2010===
===Delegate allocation===
{{SEO donor box
::''See also: [[2016 presidential nominations: calendar and delegate rules]]
|candidate=Rick Perry
{{TX GOP delegates 2016}}
|year1=2010
|office1=Governor of Texas
|political party1=Republican
|total raised1=$39,328,540
|opponent1= $292,643 (Independent)<br>$45,534 (Libertarian)<br>$950 (Green Party)
|top donor1=Republican Governors Association
|top donor1 amount=$3,000,000
|second donor1=Bob & Doylene Perry
|second donor1 amount=$1,510,000
|third donor1=Harold & Annette Simmons
|third donor1 amount=$600,000
|fourth donor1=George Brint & Amanda Ryan
|fourth donor1 amount=$450,000
|fifth donor1=North Cypress Medical Center
|fifth donor1 amount=$355,000
|individuals1=$29,855,870
|institutions1=$9,307,607
|instate1=$34,233,314
|outstate1=$5,092,557
|year2=2006
|office2=Governor of Texas
|political party2=Republican
|total raised2= $20,199,539
|opponent2=$9,084,635 (Independent)<br>$7,359,018 (Democrat)<br>$6,288,113 (Independent)
|top donor2=Republican Governors Association
|top donor2 amount=$1,000,000
|second donor2=Bob Perry
|second donor2 amount=$330,000
|third donor2=Harold & Annette Simmons
|third donor2 amount=$315,000
|fourth donor2=Mr. & Mrs. Dan Friedkin
|fourth donor2 amount=$159,510
|fifth donor2=Paul Foster
|fifth donor2 amount=$131,638
|individuals2=$14,709,783
|institutions2=$5,246,068
|instate2=$17,856,752
|outstate2=$2,306,791
|year3=2002
|office3=Governor of Texas
|political party3=Republican
|total raised3= $20,674,811
|opponent3=$66,262,297 (Democrat)<br>$11,654 (Libertarian)<br>$1,728 (Green Party)
|top donor3=Republican National State Elections Committee
|top donor3 amount=$750,000
|second donor3=Friends of Phil Gramm
|second donor3 amount=$302,000
|third donor3=National Republican Senatorial Committee
|third donor3 amount=$250,000
|fourth donor3=William Clements
|fourth donor3 amount=$201,000
|fifth donor3=Texas Republican Party
|fifth donor3 amount=$185,478
|individuals3=$15,640,567
|institutions3=$3,371,053
|instate3=$18,643,113
|outstate3=$2,026,427
|year4=1998
|office4=Lieutenant Governor of Texas
|political party4=Republican
|total raised4= $12,385,439
|opponent4=$7,864,085
|top donor4=Republican Party of Texas
|top donor4 amount=$252,022
|second donor4=Bob & Doylene Perry
|second donor4 amount=$225,000
|third donor4=Associated Republicans of Texas
|third donor4 amount=$172,998
|fourth donor4=William A. & Nancy F. McMinn
|fourth donor4 amount=$125,500
|fifth donor4=James Blythe
|fifth donor4 amount=$105,218
|individuals4=$9,798,116
|institutions4=$1,913,288
|instate4=$11,381,908
|outstate4=$317,337
}}


==Personal==
==Personal==
In 1982, Perry married Anita Thigpen, whom he had known since elementary school. The couple have two children.<ref name="bio.com"/>
{{Personal disclaimer}}<br />
 
In 1982, Perry married Anita Thigpen, whom he had known since elementary school. The couple has two children.<ref name="bio.com"/>
==Recent news==
This section displays the most recent stories in a Google news search for the term "'''Rick + Perry + Texas + Governor'''"
:''All stories may not be relevant to this page due to the nature of the search engine.''
{{RSS|feed=http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&gl=us&q=Rick+Perry+Texas+Governor&um=1&ie=UTF-8&output=rss|template=slpfeed|max=10|title=Rick Perry News Feed}}


==See also==
==See also==
{{submit a link}}
{{submit a link}}
* [[Governor of Texas]]
*[[Donald Trump potential high-level administration appointments]]
* [[Lieutenant Governor of Texas]]
*[[U.S. Department of Energy]]
* [[David Dewhurst|Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst]]
*[[Governor of Texas]]
*[[Endorsements by state officials of presidential candidates in the 2012 election]]
*[[Lieutenant Governor of Texas]]


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.governor.state.tx.us/ Office of the Governor of Texas]
*[https://energy.gov/ U.S. Department of Energy]
* [https://rickperry.org Rick Perry for President 2016] official campaign site
{{Google|search=Rick Perry}}
{{SEOLinks | nga = current-governors/col2-content/main-content-list/rick-perry.html | nndb = 439/000044307 | our = | votesmart = 15373 | wikipedia = Rick_Perry | factcheck = rick-perry | politifact = rick-perry | snopes = | followthemoney = 3156 | ontheissues = Rick_Perry.htm | worldcat = lccn-nr2004-9616 | c-span = rickperry | rose =  | imdb = nm1752773 | bloomberg = rick-perry | guardian = world/rick-perry | nyt = p/rick_perry | wsj = P/rick-perry/5983 | washpo = gIQArtNCAP }}
----
;Local media coverage
*[http://www.austinchronicle.com/rick-perry/ ''Austin Chronicle'']
*[http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/perry-watch/  ''Dallas Morning News'']
*[https://web.archive.org/web/2/http://www.star-telegram.com/1242 ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram'']
*[http://topics.chron.com/topics/Rick_Perry ''Houston Chronicle'']
*[http://www.texasmonthly.com/magazine/perry ''Texas Monthly''] ''([[dead link]])''
*[http://www.texasobserver.org/the-perry-trail ''The Texas Observer''] ''([[dead link]])''
*[http://www.texastribune.org/texas-people/rick-perry/ ''The Texas Tribune'']
;Additional media coverage
*[http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/category/rick-perry ''CNN'']
*[http://www.economist.com/topics/rick-perry ''The Economist'']
*[http://www.foxnews.com/topics/politics/rick-perry.htm ''Fox News'']
;Federal financial
*[http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/can_detail/P20003281 FEC] ''([[timed out]])''
*[http://www.opensecrets.org/pres12/candidate.php?id=N00033486 OpenSecrets.org]
 
==Additional reading==
* [http://www.politifact.com/texas/statements/2011/jun/14/ted-nugent/ted-nugent-says-rick-perry-first-governor-win-thri/ ''PolitiFact'', "Ted Nugent says Rick Perry is first governor to win thrice by landslides," June 1, 2011]
* [http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/vol18/issue39/pols.perry.html ''Austin Chronicle'', "Heir to the Throne," May 28, 1999]


==References==
==Footnotes==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}


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Latest revision as of 13:43, 5 November 2025

BP-Initials-UPDATED.png
This page was current at the end of the official's last term in office covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Rick Perry
Republican Party
Prior offices:
U.S. Secretary of Energy
Years in office: 2017 - 2019
Governor of Texas
Years in office: 2000 - 2014
Successor: Greg Abbott (R)
Elections and appointments
Last convention
August 28, 2012
Education
Bachelor's
Texas A&M University, 1972
Military
Service / branch
U.S. Air Force
Years of service
1972 - 1977

James Richard Perry is the former secretary of energy. He was the 14th person to serve in the position. Perry was chosen by President Donald Trump for secretary of energy on December 13, 2016. The Senate confirmed Perry on March 2, 2017, by a vote of 62-37, and he was sworn into office on the same day.[1][2]

On October 17, 2019, Fox News reported that Perry planned to submit his resignation to President Trump by the end of the year.[3] He resigned on December 1, 2019.[4]

Perry is the former governor of Texas. He assumed office in December 2000 when President George W. Bush, then the president-elect, resigned as governor of Texas to prepare for his inauguration as President of the United States. Perry was elected to full terms in 2002, 2006, and 2010. Perry retired from the governorship in 2014.[5][6]

The secretary of energy is responsible for overseeing an "agency tasked with maintaining a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent and reducing the threat of nuclear proliferation, overseeing the United States’ energy supply, carrying out the environmental clean-up from the Cold War nuclear mission, and the 17 National Laboratories," according to the department's website.[7]

Perry ran for president twice, in 2012 and 2016. He suspended his 2012 campaign on January 19, 2012, and endorsed candidate Newt Gingrich in the Republican primary.[8] He announced his 2016 campaign on June 4, 2015, and suspended his campaign on September 11 of that same year. He said, "We have a tremendous field -- the best in a generation -- so I step aside knowing our party is in good hands." He later endorsed Ted Cruz in the Republican primary.[9][10]

Biography

Perry is a fifth-generation Texan. He grew up in Paint Creek, Texas, on his family's ranch. He was active in Boy Scouts, eventually earning the Boy Scouts of America's Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. While a student at Texas A&M University, he joined the Corps of Cadets and was elected as a yell leader. During college, Perry also worked selling books door to door.[11]

After graduating, Perry accepted a commission in the United States Air Force. He completed pilot training and flew tactical airlifts in Europe and the Middle East through most of the 1970s. He retired in 1977 as a captain and returned to Texas to work on his family's cotton farm.[11]

Perry entered politics in 1984, winning election to the Texas House of Representatives for District 64. At the time, Perry was a Democrat.[12]

In 1989, Perry switched his affiliation to the Republican party.[13] The following year, he won election as agriculture commissioner of Texas. He was re-elected to a second term in 1994. In 1998, he ran successfully for lieutenant governor of Texas, becoming the first Republican to hold the office. Perry succeeded to the governorship in 2000 when predecessor President George W. Bush resigned to begin his first term as President of the United States.[14]

Political career

Secretary of Energy

Nomination tracker
Candidate: Rick Perry
Position: Secretary of Energy
Confirmation progress
ApprovedaAnnounced:December 13, 2016
ApprovedaHearing:January 19, 2017
ApprovedaCommittee:Energy and Natural Resources Committee
ApprovedaReported:January 31, 2017
17-6
ApprovedaConfirmed:March 2, 2017
ApprovedaVote:62-37

On December 13, 2016, Perry was selected by President Donald Trump to serve as secretary of energy. The United States Senate confirmed Perry on March 2, 2017, by a vote of 62 to 37.[1]

Governor of Texas (2000-2015)

See also: Governor of Texas

Perry was the longest-serving governor in Texas history, holding the office for over 14 consecutive years.[5] He was first sworn in as governor on December 21, 2000, replacing Governor George W. Bush, who had recently been elected President of the United States. Perry was elected to a full term as governor in 2002 over Democrat Antonio R. "Tony" Sanchez, Jr., a Laredo businessman.

As governor, he was a member of the National Governors Association, the Western Governors' Association, the Southern Governors' Association, and the Republican Governors Association.

An analysis of Republican governors by Nate Silver of the New York Times in April 2013 ranked Perry as the 10th most conservative governor in the country.[15]

Perry became the longest-serving governor in Texas history midway through his time in office. He eventually served over 14 consecutive years in the position. The record was previously held by Governor Bill Clements, who served eight years over two non-consecutive terms, and Allan Shiver, who had seven and one-half years of consecutive service.[16]

Lieutenant Governor (1999-2000)

In 1998, Perry ran for lieutenant governor to succeed the retiring Democrat Bob Bullock. Perry won 1,858,837 votes (50.04 percent) to the 1,790,106 (48.19 percent) cast for Democrat John Sharp of Victoria. Libertarian Anthony Garcia won another 65,150 votes (1.75 percent).[17]

Texas Agriculture Commissioner (1991-1999)

In the 1990 race for commissioner of agriculture, Perry unseated Democrat Jim Hightower.[18]

As agriculture commissioner, Perry was responsible for promoting the sale of Texas farm produce to other states and foreign nations and supervising the calibration of weights and measures, such as gasoline pumps and grocery store scales.

Perry was re-elected agriculture commissioner in 1994. He earned 2,546,287 votes (61.92 percent), defeating Democrat Marvin Gregory's 1,479,692 votes (35.98 percent). Libertarian Clyde L. Garland received 85,836 votes (2.08 percent).[19]

Texas State Legislature (1984-1990)

In 1984, Perry was elected to the Texas House of Representatives as a Democrat from a district that included his home county of Haskell. He served on the Texas House Appropriations and Calendars Committees during his three terms as a state legislator, where he was known as one of the "Pit Bulls," a group of Appropriations members who sat on the lower dais in the committee room (or "pit") who pushed for austere state budgets during the 1980s. In 1989, The Dallas Morning News named him one of the most effective legislators in the 71st legislature. In 1989, Perry announced that he was joining the Republican Party.[20]

Issues

Trump administration's energy agenda

  • On January 24, 2018, discussed the Trump administration’s “Energy Dominance” agenda, which is aimed at increasing the domestic production of fossil fuels. He said, “The United States is not just exporting energy, we’re exporting freedom. We’re exporting to our allies in Europe the opportunity to truly have a choice of where do you buy your energy from. That’s freedom. And that kind of freedom is priceless.”[21]

Presidential preference

Perry had previously endorsed Ted Cruz, who ended his presidential campaign on May 3, 2016.[22]

2016 presidential endorsement

✓ Perry endorsed Donald Trump for the Republican primary in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.[23]

See also: Endorsements for Donald Trump

Elections

2016

See also: Rick Perry presidential campaign, 2016 and Presidential election, 2016

Perry ran for president in 2016. On June 4, 2015, Perry announced his run for President of the United States, releasing a video on his campaign website before speaking in front of a crowd of supporters in Addison, Texas.[24] He announced on September 11, 2015, that he had suspended his campaign.

2014

See also: Texas gubernatorial election, 2014

Perry chose not to seek re-election to a fourth term as governor of Texas in the 2014 election.[25][26]

On July 8, 2013, Perry said, "I remain excited about the future and the challenges ahead but the time has come to pass on the mantle of leadership."[27]

2012

See also: Endorsements by state officials of presidential candidates in the 2012 election

Perry formally announced on August 13, 2011, that he was running for the 2012 Republican U.S. presidential nomination. Speaking to a group of conservative bloggers in Charleston, South Carolina, he went directly after President Barack Obama for his "failed western European social values" and criticized Obama's economic policies for trying to "win the future by selling it off to foreign creditors."[28] "We don't need a president who apologizes for America. We need a president who protects and projects those values," he said.[28]

Perry announced his presidential run on the same day as the Iowa Straw Poll. While his name was not on the ballot, Perry placed sixth in the poll as a write-in candidate, beating former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney whose name was on the ballot.[29]

On January 19, 2012, Perry suspended his campaign for the Republican nomination, choosing instead to endorse Newt Gingrich.[30]

Race background

Perry began hinting at a potential 2012 bid for the presidency in May 2011. Reversing his previous insistence that he was not interested, Perry said on May 27, 2011, "I'm going to think about it. I think about a lot of things."[31] The governor stated he wanted to wait until the Texas State Legislature adjourned before making a decision on a presidential run.[31][32]

When asked by the Des Moines Register in July 2011 about his plans to run, Perry said, “I’m not ready to tell you that I’m ready to announce that I’m in. But I’m getting more and more comfortable every day that this is what I’ve been called to do. This is what America needs.”[33]

Another sign towards a Perry presidential campaign surfaced on July 26, 2011, when the fiscally conservative group GrowPac announced its support for Perry by launching a radio campaign in Iowa urging people to write in Perry on the August 13th Ames Straw Poll.[33] The 60-second radio ad read:

“ Hi, I’m David Malpass. As an economist and father of four, I’m appalled at Washington’s out of control debt. President Obama is making things worse. We need a president who will stop this. Texas Governor Rick Perry has a proven track record of controlling spending and creating jobs. He succeeded in Texas by believing in less government, not more. Rick Perry understands the 10th amendment and has the backbone to bring an upheaval to Washington. Iowa has a chance to turn things around for America. At the Ames Straw Poll write in Rick Perry, he can win and make America secure again. I worked for Ronald Reagan and I know how countries create growth and jobs. Let’s give Rick Perry a chance. GrowPac is responsible for the content of this advertising. Paid for by GrowPAC and not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. Visit David Malpass’ GrowPac.Com[34] ”
—David Malpass[33]

Perry formally announced he was running for president on August 13, 2011.

Endorsements

A total of 51 elected officials endorsed Rick Perry for the 2012 presidency before he left the race.

For a full list see: Endorsements by state officials of presidential candidates in the 2012 election

2010

See also: Texas gubernatorial election, 2010

Perry won re-election in 2010. He faced two challengers in the Republican primary: Kay Bailey Hutchison and Debra Medina. Perry was able to avoid a runoff, by receiving 51 percent of the votes cast on March 2nd. He faced ex-Houston Mayor Bill White (D), Katherine Youngblood Glass (L), and Deb Shafto (G) in the general election on November 2, 2010.[35]

Governor of Texas, 2010
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngRick Perry Incumbent 55% 2,737,481
     Democratic Bill White 42.3% 2,106,395
     Libertarian Kathie Glass 2.2% 109,211
     Green Deb Shafto 0.4% 19,516
     Write-In Andy Barron 0.1% 7,267
Total Votes 4,979,870
Election results via Texas Secretary of State


2006

See also: Texas gubernatorial election, 2006

In the 2006 November general election, Perry defeated former Congressman Chris Bell of Houston (D), sales consultant James Werner (L), outgoing Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn (I), and country singer Richard "Kinky" Friedman (I).

Governor of Texas, 2006
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngRick Perry Incumbent 39% 1,716,792
     Democratic Chris Bell 29.8% 1,310,337
     Libertarian James Werner 0.6% 26,749
     Independent Richard "Kinky" Friedman 12.4% 547,674
     Independent Carole Keeton Strayhorn 18.1% 796,851
     Write-In James "Patriot" Dillon 0% 713
Total Votes 4,399,116
Election results via Texas Secretary of State


2002

See also: Texas gubernatorial election, 2002

In the 2002 general election, Perry earned 2,632,591 votes (57.80 percent) to Sanchez's 1,819,798 (39.96 percent). Four other candidates shared 2.21 percent of the vote. In 2006, Perry earned a second term with 39 percent of the vote. While 61 percent of Texas voters opposed Perry, he won by plurality because his opposition was split four ways. Perry was the first governor since 1861 to be elected by a plurality of less than 40 percent. (There was also a similar plurality winner in 1853.)[36]

On November 5, 2002, Rick Perry won re-election to the office of Governor of Texas. He defeated Tony Sanchez, Jeff Daiell, Rahul Mahajan, Elaine Eure Henderson, and Earl W. (Bill) O'Neil in the general election.

Governor of Texas, 2002
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngRick Perry Incumbent 57.8% 2,632,591
     Democratic Tony Sanchez 40% 1,819,798
     Libertarian Jeff Daiell 1.5% 66,720
     Green Rahul Mahajan 0.7% 32,187
     Write-In Elaine Eure Henderson 0% 1,715
     Write-In Earl W. (Bill) O'Neil 0% 976
Total Votes 4,553,987
Election results via Texas Secretary of State.


Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Rick Perry campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2010Texas GovernorWon $39,328,540 N/A**
2006Texas GovernorWon $20,199,539 N/A**
2002Texas GovernorWon $20,674,811 N/A**
1998Texas Lieutenant GovernorWon $12,385,439 N/A**
Grand total$92,588,329 N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Election Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

2016 Republican National Convention

See also: Republican National Convention, 2016
Rick Perry
Republican National Convention, 2016
Status:At-large delegate
State:Texas
Bound to:Ted Cruz
Delegates to the RNC 2016
Calendar and delegate rules overview • Types of delegates • Delegate rules by state • State election law and delegates • Delegates by state

Perry was an at-large delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention from Texas. Perry was one of 104 delegates from Texas bound by state party rules to support Ted Cruz at the convention.[37] Cruz suspended his campaign on May 3, 2016. At the time, he had approximately 546 bound delegates. For more on what happened to his delegates, see this page.

Delegate rules

See also: RNC delegate guidelines from Texas, 2016 and Republican delegates from Texas, 2016

At-large delegates from Texas to the national convention were selected by a state nominations committee and approved by the Texas State GOP Convention in May 2016. District-level delegates were elected by congressional districts at the state convention and then approved by the convention as a whole. At the national convention, all delegates were bound on the first ballot unless their candidate withdrew from the race or released his or her delegates. A delegate remained bound on the second ballot if his or her candidate received at least 20 percent of the total vote on the first ballot. On the third and subsequent ballots, all delegates were to become unbound.

Texas primary results

See also: Presidential election in Texas, 2016
Texas Republican Primary, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes Delegates
Jeb Bush 1.2% 35,420 0
Ben Carson 4.2% 117,969 0
Chris Christie 0.1% 3,448 0
Green check mark transparent.pngTed Cruz 43.8% 1,241,118 104
Carly Fiorina 0.1% 3,247 0
Lindsey Graham 0.1% 1,706 0
Elizabeth Gray 0.2% 5,449 0
Mike Huckabee 0.2% 6,226 0
John Kasich 4.2% 120,473 0
Rand Paul 0.3% 8,000 0
Marco Rubio 17.7% 503,055 3
Rick Santorum 0.1% 2,006 0
Donald Trump 26.8% 758,762 48
Other 1% 29,609 0
Totals 2,836,488 155
Source: Texas Secretary of State and CNN

Delegate allocation

See also: 2016 presidential nominations: calendar and delegate rules
Logo-GOP.png

Texas had 155 delegates at the 2016 Republican National Convention. Of this total, 108 were district-level delegates (three for each of the state's 36 congressional districts). District-level delegates were allocated on a proportional basis; a candidate had to win at least 20 percent of the primary vote in a district in order to be eligible to receive any of that district's delegates. If only one candidate met the 20 percent threshold in a district, he or she won all of the district's delegates. If two candidates met this threshold, the first place finisher received two of the district's delegates; the second place finisher received the remaining delegate. If no candidate won 20 percent of the vote, the top three finishers in a district each received one of the district's delegates. If a candidate won more than 50 percent of the vote in a district, he or she received all of the district's delegates.[38][39]

Of the remaining 47 delegates, 44 served at large. At-large delegates were allocated on a proportional basis; a candidate had to win at least 20 percent of the statewide primary vote in order to be eligible to receive any of the state's at-large delegates. If only one candidate broke the 20 percent threshold, the second place finisher still received a portion of the state's at-large delegates. If a candidate won more than 50 percent of the statewide vote, he or she received all of the state's at-large delegates. In addition, three national party leaders (identified on the chart below as RNC delegates) served as bound delegates to the Republican National Convention.[38][39]

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
In 1982, Perry married Anita Thigpen, whom he had known since elementary school. The couple has two children.[11]

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 NBC News, "Trump Picks Energy Department Opponent Rick Perry for Energy Secretary: Sources," December 13, 2016
  2. ↑ Decision Desk HQ, "Confirmation Vote of Rick Perry for Secretary of Energy," March 2, 2017
  3. ↑ Fox News, "Energy Secretary Rick Perry tells Trump he plans to resign, sources say," October 17, 2019
  4. ↑ The Oklahoman, "Senate approves successor to Rick Perry as energy secretary," December 2, 2019
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 CNN.com, "Rick Perry - Fast Facts," accessed March 2, 2013
  6. ↑ USA Today, "Texas Gov. Rick Perry says he won't run again," July 8, 2013
  7. ↑ Energy.gov, "About," accessed January 27, 2018
  8. ↑ Politico, "Rick Perry drops 2012 campaign for president, endorses Newt Gingrich," January 19, 2012
  9. ↑ CNN, "Rick Perry launches comeback White House bid," June 4, 2015
  10. ↑ Politico, "Rick Perry endorses Ted Cruz," January 25, 2016
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Biography.com, "Rick Perry," accessed June 30, 2012
  12. ↑ Houston Chronicle, "Meet Perry's loyal inner circle," September 25, 2011
  13. ↑ Huffington Post, "Rick Perry Began Political Career As Young Star For Texas Democrats," July 16, 2011
  14. ↑ Rick Perry, "About," accessed June 30, 2012
  15. ↑ New York Times, "In State Governments, Signs of a Healthier G.O.P.," April 16, 2013
  16. ↑ Austin American-Statesman, "Governor Views Longevity As Footnote To Tenure Focused On Economy, Conservative Values," December 15, 2008
  17. ↑ US Election Atlas, "1998 Lt. Gubernatorial General Election Results - Texas," accessed July 6, 2012
  18. ↑ Time.com, "A Texas Two-Step: When Rick Perry Backed Al Gore," July 16, 2011
  19. ↑ Star-Telegram, "Facts about Governor Rick Perry," August 13, 2011 (dead link)
  20. ↑ PolitiFact, "Rick Perry says he switched to GOP at a younger age than Reagan did," August 30, 2011
  21. ↑ The Hill, "Perry: US ‘not just exporting energy, we’re exporting freedom,'" January 24, 2018
  22. ↑ CNN, "Rick Perry endorses Ted Cruz," January 25, 2016
  23. ↑ CNN, "First on CNN: Rick Perry endorses Donald Trump for president," May 5, 2016
  24. ↑ CNN, "Rick Perry launches comeback White House bid," June 4, 2015
  25. ↑ Associated Press, "Dad: George P. Bush eyeing Texas land commissioner," November 14, 2012
  26. ↑ The Dallas Morning News, "Term limit proposal goes down in the House," May 15, 2013
  27. ↑ NBC News, "Perry won't seek re-election as TX governor," July 8, 2013
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Texas Tribune, "Updated: Perry Announces 2012 Run, Attacks Obama," August 13, 2011
  29. ↑ LA Times, "Perry overshadows Bachmann's Iowa victory," August 13, 2011
  30. ↑ CNN Politics, "Perry drops out, endorses Gingrich," January 19, 2012
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 PolitiFact, "Perry on a presidential run: 'I’m going to think about it'," May 27, 2011
  32. ↑ The Washington Post, "Will Rick Perry run for president?" July 1, 2011
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 The Daily Caller, "Perry radio ad debuts in Iowa," July 26, 2011
  34. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  35. ↑ MSNBC, "Governor Rick Perry wins GOP nomination for Governor of Texas," March 3, 2010
  36. ↑ The political guide, "Election Results – Governor, Texas," accessed June 30, 2012
  37. ↑ Texas GOP, "National Convention," May 19, 2016
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 Republican National Committee, "2016 Presidential Nominating Process," accessed October 6, 2015
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 CNN.com, "Republican National Convention roll call vote," accessed July 20, 2016
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Ernest Moniz 		Secretary of Energy
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Preceded by
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2000 - 2015 		Succeeded by
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Preceded by
Bob Bullock 		Lieutenant Governor of Texas
1998-2000 		Succeeded by
Bill Ratliff
Preceded by
- 		Texas Commissioner of Agriculture
1990 - 1998 		Succeeded by
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